In a separate statement on Tuesday, the PNP’s Public Information Office said the entire organization wanted to apologize to Padilla as well as the Muslin community “for the inconvenience brought by the interpretation for using the term ‘Muslim’ to refer to someone committing a crime.”
“This was said without any malice to malign the reputation of our Muslim brothers and sisters. Let this be a lesson to educate the entire PNP organization to be more discerning in addressing all sectors in the society with prudency.,” the statement said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) — Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. apologized on Tuesday for the use of the term “Muslim” by some police officers to refer to the hostage taker of former senator Leila De Lima.
Azurin said the PNP is finding ways to prevent such an incident from happening again following the reaction of Senator Robin Padilla and the Muslim community, adding he will personally apologize to the lawmaker who is Muslim.
“Kung may na offend man kami sa paggamit ng terminology na yon specifically doon sa naging reaksyon ng ating good senator Senator Robin Padilla, we will try to find ways on how to correct such incident na nangyari,” he said. “It was not meant to offend anybody.”
“At the same time we apologize for the misgivings or shortcomings ng ating kapulisan sa paggamit ng ‘Muslim’ word,” Azurin added.
[Translation: If we offended anyone, especially Senator Robin Padilla, we will find ways to correct it. We apologize for the police officers’ use of the word “Muslim” to refer to the detainee.
Padilla slammed what he described as “discrimination,” saying the police force needs to be better informed.
“May pangalan po ang mga taong ito,” he said. “Mas mainam po na identify po natin sila hindi sa kanilang relihiyon dahil wala pong kinalaman ang relihiyon dito.”
[Translation: They have names. Identify them by their names, not their religion, because their religion has nothing to do with the incident.]
Detainees Feliciano Sulayao Jr., Arnel Cabintoy, and Idang Susukan attempted to flee the PNP Custodial Center on Oct. 9, during which De Lima was briefly held hostage by Sulayao. The three detainees were killed, while De Lima emerged unharmed.
Meanwhile, Azurin said authorities are investigating allegations that some Muslim detainees are served pork in their meals — which is forbidden in their faith.
