FOR MERITORIOUS WORK OR BOUNTY?
We all agree we will be better served by dedicated policemen who are adequately paid. We are, as yet, far from these realities.
The Philippine National Police Peace & Order Agenda for Transformation and Upholding the Rule of Law (P.A.T.R.O.L. Plan) is designed to transform the PNP into “a highly capable, effective and credible police service working in partnership with a responsive community towards the attainment of a safer place to live, work, and do business.”
“It will work towards crime prevention, solution to improve community safety awareness through community- oriented and human rights- based policing.” These are exemplary goals and worth the effort working toward. The PNP started this work at least a decade or so.
Much has happened since President Duterte took office. While is anti-drug, anti-crime and anti-corruption wars are laudable and enjoys the support of most Filipinos, there have been very controversial means to attain the goals that have left many greatly discomfited, at the very least.
Based on an annual audit report of CoA, the expenses of the Office of the President on “awards/ rewards and prizes” for calendar year 2016 increased to P6.857 million from P110,000 in 2015, an increase of around 6,200%. In one first class municipality alone, San Antonio, Nueva Ecija, at least P645,000 in cash have been given away as reward money since the drug war was launched in July 2016. (Source:
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/specialreports/ 623634/dutertegavep6- 8- m- cash- rewards- tocops-in-2016/story/)
Recently, I was interviewed by GMA TV News Channel regarding the awards given the PNP officers and personnel for “meritorious services.” There was special concern for awards given police who had killed drug related persons. I layered my answers as follows: • I have no problems with the
giving of awards. That is part of rewarding people for extraordinary, exemplary performance of duties — just as negative sanctions are meant to punish errant action. • What needs to be done is
to make clear what constitutes “meritorious service,” “extraordinary” and “exemplary.” I could be very wrong but I do not remember these being defined for the public. • There are a variety of ways of
showing different grades of “exemplary,” from verbal citations in regular mass assemblies to citation letters, plaques, medals, cash all the way to promotions. • Again, I could be wrong but it
is easy to misunderstand the current system as more of a bounty reward. • Does a police officer or a
group of police officers killing one person who is either running or cornered constitute “exemplary action?” I think not. Running after, apprehending, arresting and jailing such a person for the criminal act sounds very much a part of police person’s duties. • Would killing a group of people,
armed as they may be, without attempting arrest constitute what may be called exemplary action? Again, I think not.
Many of the cases I have read about, saw and heard covered on TV and radio, or plain neighborhood narratives sounded very much like the usual work of police personnel in the pursuit of the goals set out in the P. A.T. R. O. L. Plan.
Again, let me stress, I have nothing against awards that are truly deserved based on clear definitions of what is extraordinary or exemplary action in the line of duty. We all know how badly underpaid our police, coast guard, firemen, jail and prison personnel, and soldiers are. They and their families could benefit a lot from bonuses and material reward. We all agree we will be better served by dedicated police men who are adequately paid and their families adequately provided for. We are, as yet, far from these realities.
P6.857 million representing an increase of around 6,200% in rewards raises questions. How were the amounts determined? Why cash rewards immediately when citations, medals and promotions are available? Is there the latent assumption that our police will not risk their lives in pursuit of their duties unless they are paid?
I ask myself, having read the PNP Integrated Transformation Program, whether or not the money could have been spent more productively towards achieving the PNP’s goals?
Two areas of concern arose during the exchange with the GMA News staff — the quality of our police officers and the work needed to be more efficient and less fatal in the conduct of the drug war.
I will say without hesitation that there are many police personnel who wish nothing more than to render good service to our people. While many are in the officer corps, I have met and talked with many such individuals from the ranks as well. What would make them more dedicated to their duties? Surprisingly, adequate housing, good health service and good education for their children ranked high. Another suggestion was to help members of their families gain employment and livelihood. Oh, they would welcome cash rewards no doubt, considering the hardships of life, but recognition of good work is the necessary condition.
Some have told me that there are enough information points in communities to help make arrests easier. The barangay network is a good information source. But often, the problem is many barangay officials are themselves part of the illegal drug chain, as are some police.
In conversations with several people in several places it has been said that certain people are more prone to illegal drug use than others. It is rumored that among PU — tricycles, jeepney, buses, even taxis — drivers who must remain awake and alert constantly, there is high drug use, as with call center agents. The cycle starts with increased caffeine, sugar, nicotine intakes, and then, finally, illegal drugs. It seems to me that working with communities and organizations to verify these soonest and work to apprehend and arrest drug users at that level will go a long way in addressing the problem in non- lethal ways. These may reduce the risks to the PNP personnel of risking life and limb.
As for the members of the illegal drug chain that are likely to fight back, there is the Special Action Force, special precisely because among police units they were designed to do very high risk work. Hence, they are more carefully selected, they are better trained and they are supposed to be having superior equipage.
I am looking forward to the day when we shall do our armed civil servants justice, give them the support they need, the compensation that may justify the risks we ask them to take, and the support to their families that will put their hearts and minds at peace.
Meanwhile, I would strongly urge PNP leadership to reexamine the award system.