(Photo courtesy of PNP)
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) joined forces with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and two non-government organizations to institutionalize effective and culturally sensitive IPs desks in all police offices nationwide as part of efforts to advance their welfare.
The police force signed two memoranda of agreement (MOA) with the NCIP and the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) Philippines, in partnership with the International Mind Education Institute (IMEI), in a ceremony in Camp Crame on Monday.
Signatories to the MOA were deputy chief for administration Lt. Gen. Joselito Vera Cruz, NCIP chair Allen Capuyan, and Rev. Kyung Hyun Nam, who represented the IYF and IMEI.
“As duty-bearers and public servants, the PNP has a great responsibility to ensure that the human rights and human dignity of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) remain upheld, protected, and respected in the enforcement of laws. Because of their vulnerability, they have been continuous ‘targets’ of recruitment by the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) as they are susceptible to the lies and deception of these terrorists," Vera Cruz said as he read the message of PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos.
He added that the partnership with NCIP is a key milestone to further strengthen their IP desks and bring them closer to achieving human rights-based policing as well as in developing and adopting proactive measures to handle and monitor cases of abuse and exploitation at the local level where victims are able to report cases at the first instance.
Vera Cruz also thanked the IYF and IMEI for the worthy endeavor of promoting transformational leadership and character development education through the mind education programs.
“This accord that we just signed with the IYF and IMEI is a testament of our unceasing commitment to develop and evaluate the implementation of the best strategies as we help the government build a more well-informed and encompassing society where all can equally participate in, contribute to and enjoy the benefits of inclusive growth, a high-trust and resilient society, and a globally competitive economy,” Vera Cruz said.
The IYF is a worldwide youth organization and an international non-government organization in collaboration with the IMEI that implements programs and activities designed to restore strength and hope so people can develop into productive and responsible citizens. IYF and IMEI also have the expertise, training, and experience in providing upright and strong mindset emphasis on mind education.
On the other hand, the NCIP is the primary government agency that formulates and implements policies, plans, and programs for the recognition, promotion, and protection of the rights and well-being of the IPs with due regard to their ancestral domains and lands, self-governance and empowerment, social justice and human rights. (PNA)
