By HANNAH TORREGOZA
Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Thursday said he shares the sentiment of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayade when the latter criticized the negative portrayal of police officers in the television series “Ang Probinsiyano.”
Lacson, himself a former PNP chief, also reminded that the use of police uniforms in the show is a violation of the law.
“I think, to say, the least, it’s unfair to the PNP to be portrayed like that because in reality that is not the case,” Lacson said in a Kapihan sa Senado forum.
“I support the move of Chief PNP General Albayalde, regardless of what I experienced in the past, to call the attention of the producers of the staff of the TV series,”
“Huwag niyo naman masyadong pasamain yung Chief PNP kasi nagpipilit na nga sila to uplift yung morale ng kanilang mga tao at kanilang credibility,” Lacson said.
“Sa daming nanonood tapos ganoon ang makikita mong pag-portray sa PNP, I think to say the least it’s unfair to the PNP na i-portray nang ganoon kasi di talaga ganoon,” Lacson stressed.
As far as he is concerned, Lacson said the reforms introduced by Albayalde within the PNP are good.
“And let’s face it, maraming mabuting nagawa ang PNP especially ang leadership, especially now. Ako, very vocal naman ako that I’m supporting the programs of Gen Albayalde kasi ang reform na ginagawa nila I also talked to lower-ranking police officers when I go around tinatanong ko kamusta ang pag-release ng pondo, maayos,” he said.
“So doon nasasaktan siguro ang liderato dahil sobrang sama ang pag-portray. Sa akin, di na realistic. In some regard or aspects, pwedeng may realism pero di ganoon kasama. Yan siguro unfair doon,” added the senator.
Another thing, he said, is how the show used the PNP uniform: “Iyan pa isa. Bawal sa batas ‘yan eh. Bakit ka magsusuot ng uniform ng pulis kung di ka pulis?”
“I will have to look into the provisions. And the regulations of the Napolcom (National Police Commission),” he said.
“Pero natatandaan ko di pwede magsuot ng uniporme ng pulis ang hindi pulis. Pati sa AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines). Pag nagsuot ka ng uniporme whether you are portraying something or acting on your own, I don’t think it’s allowed. I’m sure there’s a violation,” Lacson pointed out.