PNP creates permanent anti-scalawag unit

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) launched on Friday, June 14, 2019, a new unit that will conduct operations against erring police personnel.

The Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) will replace the twoyear old Counter-intelligence Task Force (CITF) and will serve as the primary unit for information gathering and the conduct of offensives against PNP personnel involved in illegal activities.

“This newly-formed enforcement group is designed to conduct intelligence build-up and law enforcement operations against PNP personnel who are involved in any illegal activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, financial crimes, cybercrime, malversation, graft and corrupt practices, security violations, and others,” PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde said.

“I am glad to note that this is our way of institutionalizing our efforts against rogue cops and cleansing our ranks in order to fulfill our duty with all honesty, honor, and integrity,” he added.

Colonel Romeo Caramat Jr., the director of the now defunct CITF, will be the officer-in-charge of IMEG.

The new group is composed of 306 uniformed personnel, 55 Police commissioned officers and 251 Police non-commissioned officers.

A 72-man company from the PNP Special Action Force will provide tactical support to the newlyestablished unit.

“We reiterate that police personnel will be assigned or detailed at the IMEG should pass the rigorous background investigation and screening process including neuropsychiatric examination and graduates of Intelligence Course or seminar,” said Albayalde.

“As what I have promised when I assumed my post that the centerpiece of my administration is to install organizational discipline and internal reform. Our internal cleansing program will not spare anyone,” he added.

The CITF was created after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the PNP, then under the leadership of senator-elect Ronald dela Rosa, to weed out erring cops and to stop from participating in the illegal drugs operations following the involvement of several police officers in the kidnapping and killing of Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo./

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PHILIPPINE NAVY ABANDONED FISHERMEN. The crew of the Philippine Navy's BRP Ramon Alcaraz provide food to the 22 abandoned fishermen, before they will return to their respective families, on Friday (June 14, 2019). Marine Bgen. Edgard Arevalo, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in a statement said the turn over of the fishermen will be participated in by the Philippine Navy, represented by Commodore Antonio Palces, the Commander of Naval Forces Southern Luzon; Mr. Eleazar Salilig, representative of NTF West Philippine Sea; and the Mimaropa Regional Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Arevalo said the AFP may assist the relevant government agency that may conduct a formal inquiry on the incident.