PNP internal cleansing

COSIDER these recent headlines: “Ninja cops, informants declaring only 30% of drug hauls”, “Senate turns over alleged ‘ninja cops’ to PNP”, “Ax poised over 4 ‘ninja cops’”, “House drugs panel resumes ‘ninja cops’ probe…

The issue on the so-called “ninja cops” – a term coined for rogue policemen involved in recycling confiscated illegal drugs – should prompt Congress to expedite the approval of proposals which seek to strengthen the internal affairs mechanism of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Under the present set- up, the brotherhood system among members of the PNP has diminished the integrity of the existing internal affairs service amid allegations of cover-up by top police officials on the wrongdoings of their subordinates.

Congress should consider separating the power and authority of the internal affairs service from the sphere of influence of the entire PNP leadership including the Director General.

What happened to a House Bill seeking the creation of an Internal Affairs Service that is outside of the PNP chain-of-command?

The Internal Affairs Service of the PNP is an essential part of the disciplinary mechanism of the police organization. It serves as the monitoring body of the character and behavior of all policemen and operates as the investigating and adjudicatory body on all administrative offenses committed by PNP personnel. As the office that oversees the conduct of the uniformed personnel, the IAS should be free from influence, pressure and intervention from the Chief PNP, and other high-ranking PNP officers in adjudicating administrative cases. There is a proposal to remove the IAS from the supervision and control of the PNP Chief and transfer it to the direct supervision of the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government.

Apart from investigating and adjudicating administrative wrongdoings of PNP personnel, the proposed bill also seeks to empower the IAS to have recommendatory powers in the selection and promotion of PNP personnel.

The IAS could also provide assistance to the Office of the Ombudsman and other PNP Disciplinary Offices in cases involving PNP personnel. It can also recommend the admission to the witness protection program of the Department of Justice of witnesses who are vital to the prosecution of PNP Personnel involved in criminal cases.

The PNP needs serious cleansing. An independent internal affairs mechanism for it is a good start.