From Alfred Dalizon’s column in People’s Journal: Former PNP chief-turned-lawmaker Panfilo ‘Ping’ M. Lacson is batting for a fully independent PNP Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) that will truly act as a “people’s watchdog and police of the police.”

Lacson wants fully independent PNP-IAS

Alfred P. Dalizon, Mamang Pulis Serbisyong Makatotohanan
People’s Journal
October 15, 2024

FORMER Philippine National Police (PNP) chief-turned-lawmaker Panfilo ‘Ping’ M. Lacson is batting for a fully independent PNP Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) that will truly act as a “people’s watchdog and police of the police.”

Lacson said the series of congressional investigations “in aid of legislation” of a number of unlawful activities committed by some officers and men of the police force is reason enough for him to eye a completely independent PNP-IAS.

“Ang nakikita ko naman sa side ng legislation kasi in aid of legislation, panahon na sigurong gawin nating completely independent ang IAS. Sa ngayon parang ‘di masyadong aktibo o parang ‘di nase-serve ang purpose,” he said in referring to the Senate and House investigation on the murder of retired police general-turned Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Board Secretary Wesley Barayuga.

“Sa PNP Law, may People’s Law Enforcement Board. Dapat yan ma-revive kasi community yan, ito ang community na nagbabantay sa mga abuso ng pulis. Sa local level ito. Pero IAS, parang sinusundan lang niya anong gusto ng Chief PNP. Mas maganda dito ang parang sa US, na independent ang internal affairs. Pag narinig ang internal affairs, medyo kabado sila. Di lang sa imbestigasyon, minomonitor pa sila, mga abuso,” Lacson said.

However, the retired general who, as PNP chief instituted major anti-corruption reforms within the organization, said there is a need to back up with real hard evidence all the testimonies in Senate and the House of Representatives being made by witnesses or they will end up as ‘balitang sink’ or incredible stories, hardly without evidence at all usually being talked by PMA cadets in the toilet room.

At present, the PNP-IAS which was established in 1999 has the legal mandate to be the lead agency in the campaign against all forms of police misconduct and corruption.

Currently headed by Inspector General-Attorney Brigido J. Dulay, the PNP-IAS works at a national scope with jurisdiction over all police officers and subject matters listed in Republic Act No. 8551 and National Police Commission Memorandum Circular No. 2016-002.

On May 7, 1999, the PNP-IAS was created to be “the lead agency for the PNP organization in the campaign against all forms of misconduct in the police service. However, it was constituted directly under the Office of the Chief, PNP.

Among its powers and functions are the following:

* Conduct summary hearings on PNP members facing administrative charges;
* Hear and adjudicate administrative cases of PNP members;
* Review cases as may be referred on first instance or on appeal; and
* Conduct motu-proprio, automatic investigation of the following cases: Incidents where a police personnel discharges a firearm; Incidents where death, serious physical injuries or any violation of human rights occurred in the conduct of police operation; Incidents where evidence was compromised, tampered with, obliterated or lost while in the custody of police personnel; Incidents where a suspect in the custody of the police was seriously injured; and Incidents where the established rules of engagement have been violated.

Dulay, in a previous interview with the Journal Group, assured all members of the 232,000-strong police force he has no agenda but to see to it that the PNP-IAS will be implementing the rules and regulations which in the first place were made by the national police force to become a more effective, credible and efficient police force that is at par with its other world-class counterparts.

Dulay said that for one, he wants the PNP-IAS to really be a partner of the PNP leadership headed by General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil in making solid reforms in the force.

“The PNP has its Police Operational Procedures and other rules on how they must dress, how they must communicate, and deal with the public?

These are their rules already and our only job is to ensure that each and every member of the force must comply,” he said.

Dulay maintained he has no agenda in getting the position. “Hindi lang po kami ang humahawak ng investigation sa mga pulis.

May mandate lang kami na mag-investigate pero hindi lahat ng kaso kami ang humahawak. At yung decision namin ay puwedeng i-review, i-modify, i-affirm o i-reverse ng Chief PNP,” he said.

Inspector General Dulay also maintained that he is also leaving it to the Congress when it comes to setting new rules when it comes to disciplining members of the police force since at present the concern not only involves the PNP-IAS but also the Chief PNP, the Regional Directors and the National Police Commission.