Camp BGen. Paciano Rizal, Sta. Cruz, Laguna–The Laguna Police Provincial Office (LPPO) distributed whistles (“pito”) to all youth in the towns of Sta Cruz, Pila, Pagsanjan, Nagcarlan, Lumban and Liliw who attended the launching of “Project PNP (Pito ni Petalio): Silbato Na Sasaklolo” anti-crime campaign.
The initiative is a project of Laguna Provincial Director Police Col. Serafin Petalio II, in celebration of Children’s Month and Violence Against Women (VAW).
The 18-day campaign that will happen simultaneously in the mentioned towns is an anti-criminality project that seeks to address gender-based violence through the empowerment of women, teenagers, and children. It also aims to promote awareness of women’s and children’s rights, safety education, legal remedies available, report forms of abuse to authorities, and government agencies that can be approached for help or assistance.
“Project P.N.P. (Pito ni Petalio): Silbato Na Sasaklolo” also laid down seven (7) guidelines in the proper use of a whistle, or what is called “Pitong Panuntunan sa Paggamit ng Pito):
1. Laging magdala ng pito kahit saan pumunta, ito ay madaling dalhin at madaling gamitin (Always bring a whistle wherever you go. It is easy to bring and easy to use).
2. Huwag gawin laruan ang pito, huwag hihipan kung wala namang emergency (A whistle is not a toy; do not use it if there is no emergency).
3. Gamitin ang pito sa pagtawag ng saklolo o depensa sa sarili (Use the whistle to call for help or for self defense).
4. Gamitin ang pito sa panahon ng sakuna tulad ng bagyo, baha, landslide, lindol at sunog upang malaman ang iyong kinaroroonan (Use the whistle in times of calamities like typhoons, floods, landslide, earthquake or fire so rescuers can determine your location).
5. Gamitin ang pito upang magbigay babala sa presensiya ng mga masasamang tao tulad ng mga magnanakaw at snatchers (Use the whistle to give warning about the presence of criminal elements such as thieves or snatchers).
6. Gumamit ng pito kung nasa loob ng bahay at nakakaranas ng pang-aabusong pisikal o sekswal (Use the whistle if inside the house and experiencing physical or sexual abuse).
7. Laging maging alerto sa paligid, magmasid at tandaan ang mga detalye ng pangyayari at tumawag o mag-report sa pinakamalapit na estasyon ng pulisya (Always be alert with your surroundings, observe and remember the details of an incident and call or report to the nearest police station).
Seminars on Gender and Development (GAD) and Gender Sensitivity Training (GST) were also conducted to educate and inform participants about the Women and Children Protection Program of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The youth were also taught how to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), be equipped with knowledge and learn how to avoid becoming victims or being recruited by anti-government groups.
A total of five thousand (5,000) whistles, leaflets and bookmarks were distributed province-wide through police stations and mobile force companies.