U.S. Pinoys for Real Change (USPRC), a Fil-Am group created to support Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs and criminality in the Philippines, recently held a prayer vigil in front of the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC.
Simultaneously, USPRC acts as a watchdog to make sure the Duterte administration follows the rule of law and due process.
One of the highlights of the gathering was the reading of a letter/statement from Police Chief Inspector Kimberly Molitas, Spokesperson of the National Capital Region Police Office. The letter was read by Elizabeth Babiera Valera of Davao, the wife of USPRC Acting Chair Atty. Arnedo Valera.
What is the message of the Police force amid the controversial war on drugs by Pres. Duterte?
Here is the statement of Molitas on behalf of the Philippine National Police (PNP):
I am Police Chief Inspector Kimberly Molitas, Spokesperson of the National Capital Region Police Office, home of over 25,000 police officers working hard to make this country a better & safe place to live not only for Filipinos but for our international communities as well.
For 72 days now we have been working very hard to sustain our war on drugs. A problem that has beset our country over the years. Everyday, many women and children are raped, many cases of robbery of life and property happen, many innocent lives are taken by drug addicts, pushers, the death toll everyday go unnoticed.
Back then there was no media frenzy on our drug campaign until the new administration took over. Since day 1 of this anti-illegal drug campaign, the President, the Chief, PNP, none of our leaders ordered us to kill just anybody. We were ordered that when endangered we must defend ourselves and protect the Filipino people.
This was clear to every police officer. No police officer would obey any illegal orders except those police scalawags who we are now trying to remove from our ranks. We ask that every institution should do the same. Police your own organization, join us in this campaign. We do not want another child to be raped and robbed of her future. We do not want a parent abroad to mourn for his child who was killed by a robber high on drugs, we do not want the hard earned money of the Filipino people end up in the hands of a drug lord. We are working hard, we are giving our life to make sure that we protect the greater majority. We will give our life if have to but until then support us instead of accusing us. Trust us and pray for us. We are glad that we have the support of the government but we do know the limits of the law. It is our mandate to enforce it. We are doing our best to protect the future of our country. We intend to bring peace to every community. We strongly believe that our success will be the success of every parent, of every overseas worker, of every woman & child, of every Filipino.
We ask that every institution should do the same. Trust us and pray for us.
We have the highest form of respect for human life. We have sworn to give our own life to protect it. With this allow us to do our job. Support us in this endeavor. We assure everyone that every single death is under investigation. We will solve each case, give us the time we need. Until then please do not accuse us of killing just anybody. We are willing to work with any institution who wants to join us in this campaign. We challenge those who question our work to come forward and talk to us. If you have any information of any abuse done by any police officer please see us, talk to us. We assure you that every information is taken seriously. We want to make sure that as we rid our streets of criminals, we also cleanse our ranks.
It is the dream of every police officer to provide every child a safe haven where they can walk, play, learn and grow. It is our dream to make this nation the safest place to live, work and do business.
We are not just police officers, we are also fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters. We share with you the dream of every Filipino. We share the dream of every citizen in the world. That through a collective effort we will all one day enjoy peace. If not for our generation then it will be for the generation to come.
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
