IT was in the same yardstick as saving Boracay and the clean-up of Manila Bay. The “environmental overhaul” in the Philippine National Police. The unprecedented, but indeed, palatable move by President Rodrigo Duterte to postpone the naming of the next PNP Chief was an intervention waiting to happen. The political, and more so, moral will to initiate “change” and shoe-horn needed reform in the institution, required timely intrusion at the highest level. The tip of the proverbial “iceberg” was the oral scuffle in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings on alleged “ninja cops”. Without getting embroiled in the nitty-gritty of finger-pointing, the alarm bells in the presidents thinking, if I may be so bold, was his pet-peeve – drugs. Who and how many of the current roster of “would-be” PNP chiefs have shadows tailing decades of police service? And the Palace does not intend to encourage nor exacerbate what may be a “problematic culture” among some law enforcement officers, by promoting them. In other countries, such as the USA, candidates for cabinet positions are subjected to interviews, disclosures, and investigation by the FBI prior to appointment. Could we adopt a similar system? The PNP head, after all, is “civilian in character”.
The designation of DILG Secretary Eduardo Año, is another palpable first from the president. Internal review and house cleaning in the PNP, is sine qua non, preceding the appointment of a new PNP chief. Año’s new directive to cops versus personal use of confiscated or impounded motorcycles, cars, etc. from illegal activity is most welcome. There is reviewing standing policies, strategies, operational procedures and strengthening internal accountability via an autonomous system for intelligence and investigative gathering in uncovering crooked behavior, abuse, etc. among cops. Also, the need for putting “more cops on motorcycles” to confront RITs (Riding in tandem crimes) in urban traffic; “gun amnesty” for the proliferation of loose and lost fire-arms; review of the current gun laws; MOA with LGUs & PDEA for purchase of portable incinerators to expedite disposal of drugs etc.
