P50T AID MAY CAUSE ABUSE

Mayor Osmeña says money is meant to give cops legal assistance since they usually lack support

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s plan to provide P50,000 as cash assistance for every police officer who can kill criminals might do more harm than good, an official of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) 7 said yesterday.

The CHR 7 said it will monitor Osmeña’s plan and will file charges if his program will lead to more deaths on the streets.

Lawyer Arvin Odron, CHR 7 director, said the financial assistance that Osmeña plans to offer might lead to abuse by the police.

He reminded the police that while they were given the license to carry a firearm, it is not a license to kill.

“Authority to use a firearm under circumstances when there is imminent danger should not be equated to a ‘license to kill’ on the part of our law enforcement. The PNP’s mandate is simply to subdue the suspect and thereafter effect the arrest,” Odron said.

Osmeña, earlier, clarified that the money he plans to provide to policemen is not a reward, but assistance when they face cases filed as a result of their work.

The mayor said that his move also aims to ensure that policemen will no longer be afraid to do their jobs out of fear of being charged.

In his press conference yesterday, Osmeña said policemen don’t have enough support, and the City’s intended assistance will help them face lawsuits triggered by the work they do.

“Even more, if necessary. To me that’s automatic. When you (policeman) killed someone, you’ll automatically have a legal fund. I just want to give them peace of mind. If more is needed, I will (give it),” he said.

Osmeña recalled that he did not hesitate to cover the expenses of SPO1 Adonis Dumpit, who was convicted of homicide after he shot and killed robbery suspect Ronron Go in 2004.

Authority to use a firearm under circumstances when there is imminent danger should not be equated to a ‘license to kill’ on the part of our law enforcement. The PNP’s mandate is simply to subdue the suspect and thereafter effect the arrest. ARVIN ODRON CHR 7 Director

On the issue that his move might encourage police to kill without due process, Osmeña said he will still help.

“To help someone there has to be due process? Naunsa man sila (What’s wrong with them)? That shows how distorted their minds are. When you help the police, you need due process?” he said.

Some opposition councilors have criticized Osmeña’s move, saying it will create lawlessness and violence.

Unlike before, Osmeña said he will be using his discretionary fund for the legal assistance of the police.

However, if there is a need for him to add, Osmeña said he is willing to spend his personal funds for it.

Before he assumed office in July last year, Osmeña used to give P50,000 cash, using his personal funds, to the police for every criminal killed in the city. /