Bato proposes return of whistle, baton as part of PNP uniform after Jemboy's death

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Tuesday proposed the return of whistles and batons as part of police uniform as he stressed the need for a non-lethal approach after the death of teenager Jemboy Baltazar.

The former national police chief-turned-senator disclosed during the continuation of the Senate investigation into Jemboy’s death that he raised this idea to Philippine National Police chief Police General Benjamin Acorda earlier today.

“As we were going down the elevator kanina kasama ko si chief PNP, sinabi ko sa kanya na siguro ‘wag na kayong mag-intay pa na gagawa pa tayo ng batas, ang Senado o Kongreso gagawa pa ng batas. Gawin ninyo na ngayon, unahan na ninyo, you make your own policy ibalik ninyo ‘yan as part of the uniform ‘yung batuta at saka ‘yung pito para sige tayo sabi ng force continuum dito from non-lethal to less lethal to lethal pero as part of the uniform, meron ba kayong less lethal equipment d'yan? Wala,” Dela Rosa said.

Dela Rosa believes that police officers are prompted to use their firearms as there are no less lethal equipment that can be used to establish their authority.

“Wala kayong pito, wala kayong batuta. Ang meron lang baril. So kaya nga siguro diretsong gumagamit ng baril dahil walang ibang option na ginagawa ang kapulisan kundi diretsong baril ang gamit. So babalik tayo ngayon sa traditional [policing] na kailangan as part of uniform ng isang pulis, may batuta, may pito,” he said.

“Importante talaga dahil kapag nakita ka ng tao na tumatakbo pituhan mo. That’s a sign of authority. Para hindi tatakbo ‘yun. Hindi ‘yung paputok agad,” he added.

If police officers do not want to use the traditional baton, Dela Rosa said the PNP can procure its modern version such as nightstick or telescopic baton.

In his opening statement, Dela Rosa stressed that police officers should only use their guns if they are outnumbered or overpowered.

“The use of firearms is justified if the offender poses an imminent danger of causing death or injury to the police officer or other persons. The police shall not use warning shots during police operations except if the police officer is outnumbered and overpowered and his or her life… is in imminent danger,” he said.

“Tila may kalituhan ang ating mga pulis hinggil sa pagkakasunod-sunod ng use of force continuum kaya’t marahil baligtad ang kanilang pagkakabasa o pagkakaintindi. Imbes na unahin ang non-lethal approach ay mas pinili nilang unahin ang pinakamabigat at pinakamapinsala na lethal approach,” he added.

The Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs chaired by Dela Rosa is investigating the case of 17-year-old Jemboy who was shot dead by police officers due to alleged mistaken identity.—AOL, GMA Integrated News