Inquiry into performance of PNP Internal Affairs Service sought amid crimes involving some cops A House leader is seeking an inquiry into the performance of the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and its role in preventing police involvement in various criminalities. [Hon. Alfredo B. Benitez] Rep. Alfredo Benitez (3rd District, Negros Occidental) sought the inquiry through House Resolution 1495, saying amid the growing crimes committed by some members of the police force, it is high time Congress checks on the performance of the PNP IAS vis-a-vis its role to instill discipline and character evaluation of PNP personnel as provided by the law. Amid the growing crimes committed by some members of the police force, it is high time that we take a critical look at the efficiency of the PNP-IAS and also assess if there are necessary policy adjustments to sustain the realization of the laws primordial intention, which is to maintain a highly efficient and competent police force, said Benitez, chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development. Benitez said the crimes committed by some members of the police force are blatant violations of the public trust and therefore, begs the serious intervention from all branches of the government. Recent reports on police involvement in various crimes harbor a growing anxiety among the citizens according to him. Our police force members who are supposed to be the keepers of peace and order, promoters of public safety and enforcers of the law are the ones who are involved in the most dreadful crimes, said Benitez. He cited that Republic Act 8551, otherwise known as the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998, created the IAS within the PNP as a self-regulatory mechanism that shall keep the force in line by instilling discipline and pro-actively conduct inspections, audits, investigations and evaluation of characters on PNP personnel. By virtue of the oversight function of Congress, Benitez said it the responsibility of Congress to ensure that enacted laws such as RA 8551 are still being properly implemented and offices created by said law are performing their duties. Citing media reports, Benitez said the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has already tagged several members of the PNPA Class 2001 to kidnapping and robbery extortion activities as early as 2006 which already included two of those who led the recent EDSA kidnap-robbery case and therefore, should have been kept at close watch by the PNP IAS. Benitezs resolution cited that on September 1, 2014, a photo of armed men assaulting the passenger of a sports utility vehicle in EDSA went viral on twitter and other social media sites. The photo prompted a full blown investigation by the PNP which resulted in the confirmation that the incident was a kidnapping-robbery incident and the identification of 10 suspects allegedly composing of current and former members of the police force, two of whom has the ranking of Police Station Chief Inspector and Senior Inspector. More than a week after said incident in EDSA, more reports of extortion-kidnapping crimes came out in the media with police officers as suspects such as the case of Korean tourist Chong Yong Woo who was arrested by 10 cops and was asked for P10,000 for his release, and the case of Chinese businessman Lin Jan Zhang who accused two cops of robbing and kidnapping him when he was about to take the LRT ride. Furthermore, Benitez said the investigations on a more high profile murder case of racecar driver Enzo Pastor also revealed that the suspected hired gunman was also a police officer from Pasay. SOURCE: Media Relations Service, Public Relations and Information Bureau
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 02:54:22 +0000
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