Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde claimed that he is fine with criticisms as long as they are constructive and aimed at improving the police force.
“Sabi ko nga, in the Philippine National Police, we take criticisms. We take critiques and praises in equal grace,” Albayalde said during the press briefing on Monday at Camp Crame.
“But then again ‘yong ating mga critics, ‘wag lang naman sana magcriticize lang nang magcriticize. They (should) also help us, ‘yon ‘yong tinatawag nating constructive criticism,” he added.
According to Albayalde, the public can help by providing information which may help the police in crime prevention and case resolution. Individuals can also provide suggestions on what they think should be changed in PNP policies.
“We are open for suggestions. If they think na meron kaming pagkukulang o kailangan pang i-correct sa aming police operations, then we are open dahil wala naman tayong sinasabi na monopoly of intelligence dito,” the PNP chief said.
(If they think that we have shortcomings or there is a need to correct police procedures, then we are open to suggestions sincere there is no monopoly of intelligence here.)
Recycling relieved officers?
During the press briefing, Albayalde also revealed the PNP’s plan to “recalibrate” Oplan Tokhang, the administration’s program on the war against illegal drugs.
Under the plan, the PNP oversight committee on illegal drugs will assess the performance of city and provincial directors. He said that if ground commanders are proven to have delivered below par performances, they will be relieved from their posts.
“If we have to relieve some of the city directors and the provincial directors, we will do so,” Albayalde vowed.
READ: ‘Guided by direction of Duterte’s Sona,’ PNP to recalibrate Oplan Tokhang
He also addressed one key concern on the PNP’s alleged practice of recycling officers relieved from their posts.
“In the police operations, we’re putting the right person at the right job, right position. There are certain skills or traits ng isang commander o isang police officer na tugma siya doon sa (posisyon),” Albayalde said.
He added that disallowing the transfer of officers would be unfair, as it does not provide an opportunity for policemen and policewomen to change.
“Hindi naman por que’t na-relieve ka sa isang unit ay forever ka nang floating. That is very unfair,” Albayalde stressed. “Pwede ka naman kasing over the years, or as you grow sa organization, you learn.
( It does not mean that if an officer is relieved from his post he will be forever in a “floating” capacity. That is very unfair. It is possible that as they grow in the organization, they can learn.) /ee