PNP open to proposed review on neuropsychiatric exams

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday expressed openness to the suggestion of Senator Raffy Tulfo to review the neuropsychiatric exams for its personnel.

“Bukas po ang PNP po sa panukala na review-hin po itong kina-conduct natin na neuropsychiatric examination para po sa mga papapasok sa PNP,” said PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo in an interview on GTV’s Balitanghali.

(The PNP is open to the proposal to review the neuropsychiatric examination for those who will enter the police organization.)

Tulfo made the suggestion on Tuesday during a Senate hearing on the killing of 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar by six police officers, saying that the questions in the tests are just being shuffled but are still the same.

Fajardo clarified that there are different sets of neuropsychiatric examinations for those who will enter the PNP as patrolman and via lateral entry, as well as students in the police academy.

A different type of neuropsychiatric examination is given to PNP personnel for promotion, she said.

Even in some training, Fajardo said participating police personnel are required to undergo neuropsychiatric evaluation.

On August 2, Baltazar was on a small boat on his way to go fishing when he was shot and killed by Navotas City policemen pursuing a shooting suspect in Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran.

A friend who was with Baltazar said they were preparing their boat when a policeman ordered them to get off. They reportedly tried to give themselves up, but the policemen allegedly kept on shooting, prompting Baltazar to dive into the water.

The police later claimed it had been a case of mistaken identity. Some of the six policemen who were initially reported involved in the incident said in their affidavits that they fired shots only at the water and that they did not intend to hit Baltazar.

The involved policemen have undergone inquest proceedings over complaints of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

Authorities are now looking into the possibility of upgrading the complaint to murder. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News