The Philippine National Police (PNP)

The 18th regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Manila will have as its Guest of Honor and Speaker, the 28th Chief of the PNP, BGen. Rodolfo S. Azurin, Jr.. With this, it is perhaps an opportune time to revisit what we have previously learned, or to know a little bit more about the PNP.

The 1987 Constitution provides for a police force, which is “national in scope and civilian in character.” Consequently, Republic Act (RA) 6975 entitled, “An Act Establishing the Philippine National Police under a Reorganized Department of the Interior and Local government (DILG),” was signed into law on December 13, 1990. The PNP was operational on January 29, 1991, whose members were formerly from the Philippine Constabulary (PC) and the Integrated National Police (INP) and the absorption of the selected members from the major service units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines such as the Philippine Air Force Security Command, the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, and the Philippine Army.

To further strengthen the PNP into a highly efficient and competent police force, RA 8551 entitled “PNP Reform and the Reorganization Act of 1998” was enacted on February 17, 1998, amending certain provisions of RA 6975. This amendatory law envisioned the PNP as a community-and service-oriented agency and included the creation of the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service.

RA 6975 empowers the President to appoint the Philippine National Police Chief from among a list prepared by the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) of "the most senior and qualified officers in the service" provided that the prospect appointee will still be able to serve for at least six months before reaching their compulsory retirement age. The lowest rank of a qualified appointee shall be that of a Police Brigadier General. The appointment of the PNP Chief by the President requires confirmation from the Commission on Appointments.

A duly appointed PNP Chief shall have:

a) Command and direction of the PNP; the power to direct and control tactical as well as strategic movements, deployment, placement, utilization of the PNP or any of its units and personnel, including its equipment, facilities and other resources. Such command and direction of the Chief of the PNP may be delegated to subordinate officials with the respect to the units under their respective commands, in accordance with the rules and regulation prescribed by the Commission; and,

b) Power to issue detailed implementing policies and instructions regarding personnel, funds, properties, records, correspondence and such other matters as may be necessary to effective carry out the functions, powers and duties of the Bureau.

The PNP, pursuant to the law, is under the administrative control and operational supervision of the NAPOLCOM, an attached agency of the DILG, for policy and program coordination. The Secretary of the Interior and Local government is mandated to be the Ex-Officio Chairman of NAPOLCOM.

The PNP website enumerates its PATROL PLAN 2030, as follows:

To enhance the focus and coordination of police functions and operations through a national internal security policy and strategy;

To re-engineer the police system towards strengthening police oversight; remove institutionalized mechanisms that undermine unity of command and internal management authority in the PNP, which renders the organization vulnerable to undue politicization and corruption;

To fortify the institutional capabilities of the PNP by improving administrative and operational coherence and efficiency; and to strengthen the police stations with the end goal of enhancing the quality of police services and relationships with the community.

To streamline institutional mechanisms and procedures in order to promote speedy access to justice and legal protection; ensure police neutrality and non-discrimination; and foster respect for human rights and gender neutrality;

To strengthen institutional mechanisms for the recruitment, training, and maintenance of a corps of competent, well-compensated, and motivated professional police force imbued with integrity, industry, and a high sense of duty and honor; and

To clarify and instill a culture of public accountability in the PNP and among its personnel.

Hopefully, the foregoing basic and hopefully helpful information about the PNP will trigger and engender another spirited and informative discussion especially during the open forum.