Lacson bucks proposal to use military ranks for PNP

Sen. Panfilo Lacson opposed yesterday a proposal reverting the rank classification of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to their equivalents in the military.

Lacson, a former PNP chief who chairs the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, commented on the recent passage of a bill in the House of Representatives, which seeks to change the ranks of police officers and adopt their equivalents in the Armed Forces.

“First, the Constitution provides for a PNP that’s civilian in character. That is the reason why the ranks of its personnel are made easily distinguishable from military ranks,” he said.

Lacson said people are familiar with the PNP ranks, and changing them would only cause confusion.

Meanwhile, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV scoffed at the call of some members of the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. seeking his removal from the PMAAAI roster.

Members of the PMAAAI Eagle Fraternal chapter based in Mindanao came out with a manifesto, saying Trillanes had gone against the PMA’s motto of courage, integrity and loyalty, “there- by seriously damaging the honor and prestige of this revered institution.”

The signatories include PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa and other top PNP officials.

“First, let me state for the record that I was never indicted for any case involving graft and corruption,” Trillanes, a former Navy officer, said in a statement.