Cops visiting Dumpit: Strike a pose

Police officers who are still in the service are free to visit the wake of SPO1 Adonis Dumpit, who was killed in Bohol by police and justice department agents.

But they should be ready to have their pictures taken, Chief Supt. Debold Sinas said.

Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak, deputy mayor for police matters, thinks that’s disrespectful.

Active police officers are free to pay their last respects to SPO1 Adonis Dumpit.

Chief Supt. Debold Sinas, Police Regional Office 7 director, said that he did not issue an order barring his personnel from attending the police officer’s wake, but he told them that they would be photographed.

“They want to go? No problem, but we’ll take their pictures. Okay? What’s the difference? What are they afraid of? If they’re afraid then that’s their problem,” he said in Cebuano.

For Sinas, Dumpit’s friends and classmates can go to the wake, but they will take photos so they’ll know who went.

Mum’s the word

Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña declined to comment on the Commission on Human Rights 7’s intention to investigate the alleged shootout in Tagbilaran City, Bohol that resulted in the killing of Dumpit.

He also did not comment on Sinas’s pronouncement that active police officers can visit the wake of Dumpit, but that their photos would be taken.

In a separate interview, Councilor Dave Tumulak said this is still tantamount to barring police officers from visiting the wake.

“It’s not only disrespectful to SPO1 Dumpit, but it also disrespects the police itself. Kung mubisita ta, pasabot diay ana (If we go to the wake, does it mean) we are involved in illegal activities? As Christians, it is our moral obligation to pay respects to our close friends nga namatay na (who’ve died). Ayaw mo og kahadlok labi na if wala moy nahimong daotan (Don’t be afraid to go if you haven’t done anything wrong),” he said.