PNP reform bill sponsored in Senate plenary

The bill seeking to introduce “long overdue” reforms in the Philippine National Police (PNP) has been sponsored in the Senate plenary.

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, chairman of the Senate committee on public order, introduced Senate Bill 2249 under Committee Report 137, which seeks to institute transformative organizational reforms within the PNP.

The bill amends Republic Act 6975 or the Department of Interior and Local Government Act of 1990 as well as Republic Act 8551 or the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998.

Under the bill, the following offices created by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) will be institutionalized: Directorial Staff, Area Police Command, Special Offices, and strengthened National Administrative and Operational Support Units.

SB 2249 will also address the violence and killing of local government officials by transferring the power to designate chiefs of police from mayors and governors to the PNP chief.

“Sa ating mga provincial government, mga lungsod, at munisipalidad, ang kapangyarihang pumili kung sino ang mamumuno bilang Chief of Police ay nasa kamay ng Local Chief Executive. What is the problem with this setup? It becomes an opportunity for utang na loob, which, under normal circumstances, can even be considered a Filipino virtue. But within the context of politics, and as we have witnessed time and again, utang na loob is a very dangerous thing,” Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, said.

The bill concurrently upholds the principle of local autonomy by ensuring that local government units will retain operational supervision and control over PNP units within their purview once the Chief of Police has been nominated by the PNP Chief.

The proposed measure also seeks to elevate the status and treatment of the PNP Academy and its cadets.

Dela Rosa said cadets shall be accorded the prestigious title of police cadets, endowed with salaries, benefits, and emoluments commensurate with the rank of police executive master sergeant.

SB 2249 will also align the compulsory age of retirement for the PNP with the Armed Forces of the Philippines by setting it at 57 years old.

Dela Rosa said this will ensure uniformity in the rules that govern the PNP and the AFP.

To address the perennial problem of the PNP with some rogue members of the police force, Dela Rosa said the bill will empower the PNP chief to immediately order the preventive confinement of erring PNP personnel.

While being investigated and/or charged with a crime, they may be put in a place of confinement, which shall be limited to barracks, quarters, or a designated facility similar to the military, he said.

This authority may also be exercised by Area Police Commanders, Regional Directors, Provincial Directors, District Directors, and concerned Chiefs of Police.

For Dela Rosa, this is a “bold move in the right direction,” as it will foster better discipline and responsibility within the PNP.

“This legislative measure is long overdue. Consistent with the principles of innovation and enhanced accountability of the PNP, this bill is sponsored to ensure that our police force is better equipped to address contemporary challenges, uphold the rule of law, protect the rights of our dear citizens, and maintain public trust,” the senator said. — VBL, GMA Integrated News