Corrupt, lazy, undisciplined, abusive and in cahoots with criminal syndicates - not many police forces in the world are perceived as such, but the one in the Philippines is.
Policemen have the lowest public approval rating among agencies. -- REUTERS
In the latest bid to salvage the image of the 115,000-strong police force and weed out rogues from its ranks, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Linahas has directed that every policeman be given a copy of the Bible or the Quran.
As a follow-through, pastors and priests accredited by the Philippine National Police (PNP) conduct weekly Bible lessons at the national police headquarters and some police stations nationwide.
Preachers quote passages from the Bible to explain the PNP's core values, such as sanctity of marriage, respect for authority and service to the people.
'We are not saying they will become morally upright right away,' said Superintendent Antonio Mendoza, assistant director of the PNP's Movement for Righteous Leadership programme.
'But we believe this will eventually help reduce the number of corrupt and abusive cops.'
About 90,000 Bibles and a thousand copies of the Quran have so far been distributed. A further 3,000 copies of the Quran and 10,000 Bibles will be given away soon.
Officials said the public should not expect overnight transformations.
Still, 'hearts are not made of stone. In fact, we have received many testimonies of cops reforming', according to pastor Robert Las Marinas, a consultant to the programme.
The latest survey by Pulse Asia, an independent polling group, shows the PNP has the lowest public approval rating among government agencies.
According to anti-crime groups, one reason for this is the involvement of many law enforcers in corrupt and criminal activities, such as kidnappings for ransom and drug trafficking.
'International statistics show that the volume of crimes reported in the Philippines is not more than the volume reported in many European countries widely reputed as safe places to live,' said Mr Mahar Mangahas, head of the Social Weather Stations, an independent pollster.
'However, I believe this is because, to a certain extent, public trust in the police by crime victims is much greater in those countries than it is in the Philippines,' he noted.
In fact, most victims, especially of kidnappings, seek the help of non-governmental organisations rather than the police.
'The public no longer trusts policemen, and with reason,' said pastor Las Marinas. 'Most cops are womanisers. They kill suspects, torture witnesses, take bribes, coddle syndicates and plant evidence to implicate innocent civilians.
'With divine intervention, we hope to reduce immorality in the police force.'