House panel approves bill restructuring PNP

The House Committee on Public Order and Safety on Tuesday approved the bill seeking the restructuring of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and for its additional police offices.

The unnumbered bill is entitled “An Act Restructuring The Philippine National Police, Creating Additional Police Offices, and Appropriating Funds.”

It is in substitution of House Joint Resolution No. 11 and House Bill No. 5229, amending some sections of the “Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990" and "PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998.”

Patrol Party-list Representative Jorge Bustos said the technical working group (TWG) agreed that the PNP should adopt the areas of police command as a counterpart of the Armed Forces’ unified forces.

“We are anticipating na eventually ma-hand over sa PNP 'yung sa insurgency. Doon sa coordination ng AFP at PNP, mapag-usapan 'yung timeline ng shift ng  AFP to external defense,” he said.

(We are anticipating that the insurgency matters will be handed over to the PNP. In coordination between the PNP and AFP, they should discuss the timeline on the shift of AFP to external defense matters.)

“So with that anticipation, 'yung PNP siguro dapat ready na rin tayo sa requirement (the PNP should be ready with the requirement),” he added.

Meanwhile, the committee and some officials of the PNP also discussed the recent attacks on elected government officials.

Abang Lingkod Party-list Representative Joseph Stephen Paduano urged the PNP to already establish the motives behind the killing.

“Kailangan ma-establish natin (We should establish) that what happens in [Bukidnon], the motive in [Bukidnon] is different from the motive in Nueva Viscaya. But both are elected public officials,” he said.

“Pasalamat tayo unless, until it will be established na iba 'yung motive sa Nueva Viscaya sa motive sa [Bukidnon],” he added.

(We should be thankful if the motives in the attacks in Nueva Viscaya and Bukidnon are different.)

He also asked the PNP if the suspects in the attacks were part of a private armed group or organized criminal gang.

PNP deputy chief for administration Police Lieutenant General Rhodel Sermonia said: “We're still establishing the personalities of these suspects and we’re going to update you.”

On Monday, PNP chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said the recent attacks against elected government officials were isolated incidents and are not yet alarming.

On February 17, gunmen fired shots at the convoy of Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. in Bukidnon. Though Adiong survived, four of his companions were killed.

On February 19, Aparri, Cagayan Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda and five others were killed in an ambush in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya.

On February 22, Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur Mayor Ohto Caumbo Montawal was hurt after two assailants shot him while inside his vehicle in Pasay City. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News