Saturday, September 08, 2007 Muslim cops told to lead drive v. pirated CDs, VCDs
MUSLIM police officers deployed to Cordillera were advised to discourage their comrades who conduct business in the region not to engage in the sale of pirated video materials.
Saying this practice is tantamount to stealing which is totally against the teachings of the Koran and government laws, Salaam Police Center Chief Sahiron Dula Salim said Muslim police officers should help their Christian police counterparts in putting a stop to the rampant selling of pirated materials.
"Since pirated videos are considered stolen materials, the sale of these items deprives the government and the people of the taxes that are due them. Our Muslim brothers should stop engaging in this business activity and look for other alternative livelihood," said Salim, who was in Cordillera for a routine visit.
He encouraged officers detailed at Salaam Police Centers in the various provinces of Cordillera to lead in the fight against the sale of pirated products. The call came despite the observation that most of the officers manning these police offices in the province are not Muslims.
Salim said he would ask the PNP national office to allot more Muslim officers to Cordillera. Only five Muslim police officers are deployed in various provinces here.
The Salaam Police Centers should be manned by Muslim officers so they could effectively enforce the law and better persuade the Muslim community to participate in the maintenance of peace and order, Salim stressed. Salaam is a Muslim term for peace.
The estimated population of Muslims in the region as of last year is at 10,266, with most of them doing business in Baguio and Benguet. (JC)
