Recto files bill to establish LGBTQIA+ help desks in PNP stations
Former Senator Recto files bill to establish LGBTQIA+ help desks in PNP stations
Several campaigns on social media about the
desperate cry for equality and acceptance for the members of the LGBTQIA
community. According to Human Rights Watch, only 15% of Filipinos reside in areas protected by ordinances
against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender equality.
In order to take a significant role in improving equality of life for the members of LGBTQIA, Former Senator and now Batangas 6th Representative Ralph G Recto filed Senate Bill No. 480 in the 18th Congress and refiled it in the 19th Congress under House Bill No. 3702 seeking to establish lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersexual, asexual and individuals of various sexual and gender orientations (LGBTQIA+) help and protection desks in Philippine National Police (PNP) stations nationwide.
The bill will (if passed into law) amend
Section 57 of RA 8551 to: “The
In the explanatory note for HB No. 3702, Rep. Recto pointed out that “there is an absence of government mechanism or intervention directed to monitor, let alone address, the incidents of discrimination, prejudice, and even violence against Filipino LGBT community.”
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PNP Recruitment Process
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He further discussed, “Because of this, many LGBTQIA+ victims opt not to report the incident
for fear of further harassment, prejudicial treatment, or more violent
reprisal.”
The Philippines should not condone an environment
where the LGBTQIA+ community is “treated with contempt and violence by
their fellow citizens while authorities empowered to protect them look the
other way or, too often, even join in the abuse.
The bill, if it becomes law, municipalities
and cities presently without policewomen will be given two
years upon its effectivity to
comply with the requirements of the provision.
In addition, the bill also
seeks to mandate the Philippine National Police to guarantee gender neutrality
in all aspects of its human resource processes, including recruitment and selection, and promotion and
deployment of police officers.
Lastly, the HB No. 3702 seeks to create a police organization that is able and eager to respond to any criminal or emergency incident, regardless of gender orientation of the people involved.
Source/s:
https://www.hrw.org/report/2017/06/21
https://www.senate.gov.ph/lis/bill_res.aspx?congressSBN-480