SENATOR Erwin Tulfo said there is nothing wrong with LGBT members joining the law enforcement for as long as they are performing their functions efficiently, as he also pushed for requiring policemen to practice shooting on a regular basis to ensure their proficiency.
The senator aired this reaction when he attended the MACHRA Balitaan forum of the Manila City Hall Reporters’ Association (MACHRA), where he cited an incident that he encountered during his days as a field reporter, where a policeman was being attacked by a bolo-wielding suspect gone amuck. The cop, he recounted, fired repeatedly as the suspect ran toward him but he kept on missing, until he ran out of bullets and got hacked.
“Maski pa 300 rounds ang meron ka, kung di ka naman tumatama, bale-wala,” said Tulfo, himself a gun enthusiast.
The incoming Senator said that notably, only cops who consider shooting as a hobby get to be proficient when it comes to gun handling and shooting.
He also stressed that the government must provide the law enforcers with bullets, even just reload, so they can practice well, noting how many policemen do not get to practice because buying their own bullets entails expenses.
“Paano ka magiging pulis, maski 300 rounds ang dala mo, kung di ka naman nakakatama? Dapat i-require every three or 6 months ang mga na mag-firing pero ‘yung bala, libre naman sana, ‘wag na sila bibili kung saan-saan,” he said.
“Dapat i-provide ng PNP kahit reload lang kung practice lang naman, kasi ang nangyayari kanya-kanya ng bili, unless ginagawa niyang sport,” Tulfo added.
Regarding policemen who decide to come out in the open as LGBTQ members, Tulfo said he intends to let them be.
“Wala ho akong gagawin diyan. Ibig sabihin, kung nag-out sila, mas maganda di ho ba” Alam naman nila ang kapasidad at qualifications nila. Kung pumasa sila sa training at nasusunod naman nila ang lahat ng regulations, why not? Bakit naman natin sisibakin ang mga ‘yun? Basta ho nagagagawa nila ang trabaho,” Tulfo stated.
He added: “Hayaan na ho natin. Mas maganda nga ho nag-out na ho sila. They’re trying to be honest. Wala naman tayong batas na bawal hong tumanggap ng mga members ng LGBTQ.”
Meanwhile, Tulfo said he fully supports the move of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Nicolas Torre III to require overweight policemen to manage their weight, but said that they should be given at least two or three chances instead of removing them right away.
“Marami diyan buong buhay na nila ang ginugol sa serbisyo, ‘wag naman, dahil sisibakin mo ang kinabukasan nila,”Tulfo said, but stressed that he agrees that policemen must be physically fit at all times.
