PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. on Friday, September 16, 2022, expressed support to the proposal of Senator Imee Marcos to impose a stricter measure on the sale and purchase of alcoholic beverages in areas with high incidents of rape.
Azurin said such a measure aims to impose discipline among the public.
“Bago pa po naimungkahi ng ating senadora yan, I have tasked lahat ng ating kapulisan sa mga istasyon to study ‘yung kanilang mga city and municipal ordinances. Iimplement po natin yan ng makatotohanan, implement po natin yan ng wala hong kinilingan para sa ganun ay magkaroon ng disiplina ang bawat barangay,” he said in a radio interview.
(Even before our senator suggested that, I have tasked all our police in the stations to study their city and municipal ordinances. Let's implement it realistically, let's implement it impartially so that every barangay will have discipline.)
In a hearing of the Senate Committee in Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on Thursday, September 15, Marcos said the PNP and local government units should coordinate for the possible imposition of curfew on the sale and purchase of liquor in areas with high number of rape cases.
Since July, the PNP recorded 149 crimes committed against female students nationwide, the majority of which were in Metro Manila.
Most of the incidents were sexual violence.
“So siguro makipag-liaise na tayo sa ating mga LGU kung lalagyan ng curfew itong alcohol sales and purchases. Lagyan siguro ng hinto diyan doon sa mga lugar at mga dating laganap ang paggagahasa para hindi na po ito maulit,” Marcos said.
(So maybe we should liaise with our LGUs if they put a curfew on alcohol sales and purchases. Maybe put a stop to those places where rape used to be prevalent so that it doesn't happen again.)
Azurin reiterated the importance of close coordination between the police and barangays to ensure the peace and order in the communities. (SunStar Philippines)