Civilian lawyer named PNP Internal Affairs chief

Logo from PNP Website

MANILA — A civilian has been appointed by President Duterte to head the Philippine National Police’s Internal Affairs Service (IAS).

Lawyer Alfegar Triambulo, former Davao Region director of the National Police Commission, was named IAS chief with the rank of Inspector-General, PNP Director-General Ronald Dela Rosa confirmed on Thursday.

In a television interview, Triambulo said he would prioritize the strengthening of the IAS intelligence division so that it could efficiently go after scalawags as part of the PNP’s “internal cleansing.”

“I want the public not to entertain doubts, that there is is bias, whitewashing and partiality in our decisions involving policemen,” Triambulo said.

Triambulo took over from Chief Insp. Leo Angelo Leuterio, who has been overseeing the IAS as acting deputy inspector-general.

Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, has been one of the most vocal advocates of a civilian IAS head.

The IAS investigates policemen, on its own or upon complaint from the public, for violations of police procedures and other regulations. It may also dismiss administratively the erring policemen.

Section 40 of the Republic Act No. 8551 or the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998 mandates that the IAS be headed by civilian.  SFM