Erring cops to join Holy Week rites to escape punishment

Erring cops of the Philippine National Police (PNP) now have a chance to come clean — by joining penitents in carrying wooden crosses during Holy Week.

Central Luzon police director Chief Superintendent Rowland Albano announced this yesterday in a move to mete out the proper Lenten punishment to 20 policemen who face suspension for being AWOL (absent without official leave).

"This is a way for them to redeem themselves," Albano said, noting that the traditional "Way of the Cross" pageant will be held inside the Central Luzon polixw headquarters at Camp Olivas in San Fernando City in Pampanga.

Pampanga is one of the main provinces where penitents flagellate themselves, carry crosses and sometimes even have themselves nailed to makeshift wooden crosses.

Albano gave his erring cops a slightly lighter path to redemption: those who agree to the PNP director’s offer will be asked to carry a wooden cross at one of the stations in the procession.

Those facing longer suspension periods can only get off by allowing themselves to be tied to a cross for several hours as atonement.

"I am not asking them to do this compulsorily, but if they wish to be cleared of their AWOL charges, this is the right time to do it," Albano told reporters.

He noted the innovative approach to sanctioning his men does not violate PNP code, since method of punishment is the prerogative of the PNP director.

Albano sees this as a path to righteousness for his wayward PNP flock — a way to lift, if not their sins, then at least their suspensions.

"When I analyzed the cases of the 20 cops, I realized that most of them attended to unavoidable circumstances in their families, which is understandable," he said.

He noted nine cops facing suspension have already volunteered to carry the cross at one of the stations, and added he himself will carry the cross at the first station to set an example. "I will be the first to carry the wooden cross to atone for my sins."

Being AWOL carries a five-day suspension. Those who agree to the unique punishment would also have to wear their PNP uniforms and have their faces covered with pieces of black cloth to conceal their identities.

Those with longer AWOL periods (120 to 200 days) would have to go the extra mile and have themselves tied to the cross. "I am willing to lift the suspensions of (those) erring policemen provided he would have himself (put) on the cross," Albano said.

The dramatization of the Passion of Christ will begin at 8 a.m. at the Camp Olivas Chapel and end a kilometer away.

Other highlights include a performance by P/Insp. Joan Ponseca, Public Information Office chief as Maria Magdalene. — With Ric Sapnu