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Saturday, February 4, 2017
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PHILIPPINE National Police chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has a flair for the dramatic. He has no problem shedding tears during Senate inquiries, shouting angrily at erring policemen and issuing stern warnings.
But for a much-needed internal cleansing of the police force, he needs to go beyond scolding cops linked to wrongdoing, or ordering them to do push-ups a hundred times. The public expects more positive action other than a strong reprimand, such as meting out the commensurate punishment for erring police personnel.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership should take proactive measures to discourage police personnel from engaging in wrongdoing. There must be a stronger setup for an internal cleansing mechanism in the PNP.
The Internal Affairs Service (IAS), the PNP’s institutional watchdog agency, should have more teeth to curb abuses and further enhance discipline in the police agency. For IAS to fulfil its functions, it is crucial that the organization is capacitated in instilling discipline and enhancing performance of police personnel and units at all levels of its command. Instead of an undermined number of days of investigation, IAS should conclude its investigation within a defined period of time – say, 30 days – after which appropriate administrative and/or criminal charges shall be filed immediately.
A bill has been filed in the Senate seeking to expand the IAS’ motu propio investigation powers, covering “all acts and omissions, which tend to discredit the institution and hinder it from performing its tasks effectively and efficiently.”It also gives the IAS the power to formulate its own disciplinary rules and mechanism, including adopting provisions of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ military justice system for uniformed personnel; and guidelines of the Civil Service Commission for non-uniformed personnel.
The IAS may also conduct character-building and similar activities to enhance its capacity for resisting graft and corruption; conduct intelligence operations in aid of lifestyle checks and investigations; and strengthen investigations of PNP personnel subject to its jurisdiction. It shall have the power to impose restrictions, file appropriate criminal cases against PNP members before courts as evidence warrants, and actively assist in prosecution of such cases.
How can we expect the police to ensure peace and order when it is peopled with hoodlums in uniform? Yes, the PNP needs internal cleansing, an honest-to-goodness one.
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