ABS-CBNnews.com
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) does not oppose gay and lesbian law enforcers, a PNP official said Friday.
PNP spokesperson Senior Superintendent Gene Cerbo issued the statement in response to a claim by Ang Ladlad gay rights group that 22 PNP officers are members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.
Cerbo said they can neither confirm nor deny Ang Ladlad's claim, as the PNP does not look at sexual orientation in the evaluation of police officers.
"So on the question na aware kami kung may member ng third sex sa PNP, hindi namin masagot ng tahasan, dahil hindi naman namin 'yan binibilang," he said.
He added that the PNP does not discriminate against members of the LGBT community.
"Once personnel ka ng Philippine National Police, ang tinitingnan namin sa inyo yung performance mo bilang police. Kung maganda ba ang iyong trabaho, kung pumapasok ka ng maayos. Pangalawa, kung ikaw ba ay sumusunod sa mga rules and regulations," he said. "Kung yun ay nagagawa mo, okay na sa amin iyun."
Cerbo added that there are repercussions for those who would discriminate against LGBTs in the force.
"Kung ikaw ay binubully ng kasama mo sa organisasyon, sinisiraan ka, hinaharass, pwede mong ireklamo 'yan," Cebro explained. "Meron kaming regulasyon para diyan. Regardless of your sex or sexual orientation, ang pagbu-bully ay masama."
Punishment for bullying or harassment could be as light as a reprimand, or it could also be suspension, with or without pay. It could even result in dismissal from the service, if the behavior persists.
Cerbo reiterated that all members of the force are, without exemption, held liable to regulation.
"Ang PNP may rules and regulations, na ito naman ay para sa lahat. Lalaki ka man, babae ka man, o miyembro ka man ng third sex," he said. "Kung ikaw ay mapaparusahan, makakasuhan, masususpende o madidismiss from the PNP, ito ay dahil sa paglabag mo sa rules and regulations na itinakda."
According to Cerbo, law enforcers must conduct themselves in a matter befitting to the public, and to the moral and ethical standards of the organization. "Bilang public officers, kahit off-duty, tinitingnan pa rin namin kung minemaintain mo yung highest moral standards na rinerequire namin sa mga police."
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) does not oppose gay and lesbian law enforcers, a PNP official said Friday.
PNP spokesperson Senior Superintendent Gene Cerbo issued the statement in response to a claim by Ang Ladlad gay rights group that 22 PNP officers are members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.
Cerbo said they can neither confirm nor deny Ang Ladlad's claim, as the PNP does not look at sexual orientation in the evaluation of police officers.
"So on the question na aware kami kung may member ng third sex sa PNP, hindi namin masagot ng tahasan, dahil hindi naman namin 'yan binibilang," he said.
He added that the PNP does not discriminate against members of the LGBT community.
"Once personnel ka ng Philippine National Police, ang tinitingnan namin sa inyo yung performance mo bilang police. Kung maganda ba ang iyong trabaho, kung pumapasok ka ng maayos. Pangalawa, kung ikaw ba ay sumusunod sa mga rules and regulations," he said. "Kung yun ay nagagawa mo, okay na sa amin iyun."
Cerbo added that there are repercussions for those who would discriminate against LGBTs in the force.
"Kung ikaw ay binubully ng kasama mo sa organisasyon, sinisiraan ka, hinaharass, pwede mong ireklamo 'yan," Cebro explained. "Meron kaming regulasyon para diyan. Regardless of your sex or sexual orientation, ang pagbu-bully ay masama."
Punishment for bullying or harassment could be as light as a reprimand, or it could also be suspension, with or without pay. It could even result in dismissal from the service, if the behavior persists.
Cerbo reiterated that all members of the force are, without exemption, held liable to regulation.
"Ang PNP may rules and regulations, na ito naman ay para sa lahat. Lalaki ka man, babae ka man, o miyembro ka man ng third sex," he said. "Kung ikaw ay mapaparusahan, makakasuhan, masususpende o madidismiss from the PNP, ito ay dahil sa paglabag mo sa rules and regulations na itinakda."
According to Cerbo, law enforcers must conduct themselves in a matter befitting to the public, and to the moral and ethical standards of the organization. "Bilang public officers, kahit off-duty, tinitingnan pa rin namin kung minemaintain mo yung highest moral standards na rinerequire namin sa mga police."
