Bato to file legislation to institutionalize operational procedures in PNP

Amid the recent issues involving the Philippine National Police (PNP), former PNP Chief Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa was working on legislation that would institutionalize police operational procedures in police training.

In a recent radio interview, Bato said he was disappointed that the PNP was involved in several incidents.

“Tayo ay nalulungkot dahil ine-expect natin the best performance, pero di perpekto ang [organization.] Tayo ay nalulungkot sa pangyayari,” said dela Rosa.

“We must go back to [the] drawing board kung saan nag-ugat ang pangyayari,” he added.

Dela Rosa explained that the root cause of the issue comes from the misuse of force and lack of knowledge on procedure, which he intends to solve by creating legislation to further police training on operational procedures.

“Naiisip ko yung training kung gusto natin ma-institutionalize ang paggamit ng police operational procedure. So far, yun ang nakikita nating kailangan talaga,” he said.

“Dapat lahat ito ay produkto pa ng training. Nang hindi pa natin ibinalik ang National Training Institute, napabayaan ang kanilang training. Kaya nung ako ay CPNP, nag-lobby ako sa Senado na ibalik sa PNP ang Training Institute. Dapat pagtuunan ng pansin ang force continuum, considerable hours naman ang nakatutok,” he added.

He also said that returning the power to select the PNP Chief to the PNP was being studied, as this avoided political color and bias in CPNP appointments.

“Pinag aaralan namin ng husto ngayon pagdating sa constitutionality ng batas na yan. Siguraduhin natin na di magiging kwestyonable,” dela Rosa explained.

The PNP was recently involved in several controversies - the killing of Jemboy Baltazar, two separate road rage incidents, and the alleged positive drug tests of the Mandaluyong PNP chief.

Dela Rosa explained that it was up to PNP Chief Benjamin Acorda to rescue the PNP's reputation by ensuring the police force returned to performing correctly and avoiding wrongdoings.

“Challenge yan sa [PNP Chief] at sa buong PNP. Lahat ng pulis diyan, worried din ‘yan dahil nasasayangan sa effort nila. Ilan lang naman ang sira-ulo diyan, marami ang matitino. Lahat ‘yan worried, magtulungan silang lahat, di kakayanin ng CPNP kung siya lang magsumikap dapat magtulungan sila,” he said. — Jiselle Casucian/DVM, GMA Integrated News