PNP releases memo on 3-strike policy to emphasize command responsibility

To emphasize command responsibility, the Philippine National Police has released its memorandum circular expounding its three-strike policy or basis for the relief of commanders who will be remiss of their duties.

At a press conference, PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said police commanders must take responsibility for the actions of their subordinates in order for the PNP’s internal cleansing efforts to be effective.

“Kung walang command responsibility, kanya-kanya iyan, napakahirap ng organization na walang command responsibility yung commanders.  The commander must be informed, must know everything, must be on top of the situation, huwag kang mag-commander diyan kung pakaang-kaang ka,” Dela Rosa said.

“Kailangan kung ikaw ay station commander, you should know what each and every policeman under your command is doing. Kung hindi mo alam ‘yan, you have no business being a commander,” he added.

Dela Rosa admitted there are commanders who only want to get the perks of their position but do not want to do thei job.

“Kaya siniguro nating ganoon para managot talaga ang mga commander kasi may ibang commander diyan na position lang, just to enjoy the perks of being a commander, ayaw magtrabaho, ayaw makialam sa kalokohan ng kanyang mga tauhan hanggang sa naging sindikato na ‘yung mga tao nyan,” he said.

The PNP Memorandum Circular No. 2017-13 or the PNP Internal Cleansing Strategy dated February 21, 2017, states the administrative relief of the Unit Commander and their reassignment to appropriate Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (PHAU) if three personnel of a particular unit were found positive in drug test, caught by other units for involvement in heinous and high profile crimes, or if they fail to take immediate action on reports of involvement in illegal activities of their personnel that are brought to their attention.

Deputy Director General Fernando Mendez Jr., chief of the PNP Directorial Staff, said that if at the regional headquarters, there are three provincial directors who are relieved, the regional director will also be relieved.

At the district level, if three station commanders are  relieved, the district commander will also be relieved and, at the provincial level, if three chiefs of police stations are relieved, the  provincial or city director will likewise be relieved, he said.

“We also include the commanders on the ground, the small unit commanders, the PCP, the  station chiefs of the compacts or equivalent units, if any of their personnel will be caught extorting, mulcting, the so-called kotong and other similar offenses, they will be immediately relieved from their post and if three of them are relieved, their  immediate superior or station commanders will also be relieved,” Mendez said. 

The PNP earlier the formed Counter-Intelligence Task Force to run after their rogue personnel.

At present, the highest ranking official being investigated by the CITF is a one-star rank general who was reported for allegedly receiving payola from illegal gambling. 

“Complaint lang ang na nareceive and iniimbestigahan nila. This is pertaining to collection of gambling payola pero kinoconfirm pa nila,” Dela Rosa said after a quick talk with CITF director Senior Supt. Jose Chiquito Malayo. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News