PNP wants control over Bangsamoro police under BBL

PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde. INQUIRER PHOTO/ JAM STA ROSA

Philippine National Police Director General Oscar Albayalde has expressed opposition to a proposal under the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) bill that would give the regional chief minister control over the Bangsamoro police force.

Albayalde told reporters on Tuesday that a provision in House Bill No. 6475 giving the chief minister the power “to exercise operational control and supervision and disciplinary powers over the Bangsamoro Police” was unnecessary.

“What we want is for [the setup] to remain as is. Our stand is we will put up a different regional office there [in the Bangsamoro state], even just one … ” he said.

Private armed group

The PNP chief explained that the national uniformed forces should maintain control of their units in the area [which] may otherwise become “politicized” by local powers.

“What we are [trying to avoid] is for them to be controlled, and become a large private armed group there,” Albayalde said.

Under Section 8, Article XI of the proposed law, the chief minister will also be given powers to act as ex officio member of the National Police Commission and as ex officio chair of the Bangsamoro Police Board.

The chief minister is also tasked with, among others, selecting the head of the Bangsamoro police and his deputies, as well as employing or deploying the elements of Bangsamoro police through the the state’s police director.

Despite the provision in question, the bill expressly states that the Bangsamoro police shall remain “part of the Philippine National Police.” —JAYMEE T. GAMIL