Senate opposition wants probe of PNP internal cleansing

NCRPO director Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar (right) talks about the arrest of Special Action Force agent PO3 Lyn Tubig (in yellow t-shirt), who was caught by authorities in a pot session in Taguig City on Saturday, June 2, 2018. The PNP has launched an internal cleansing campaign to rid the police force of rogue policemen. The cleansing has prompted a call by the opposition in the Senate to probe the drive to expose and remove undesirable lawmen. INQUIRER.NET FILE

Six opposition senators are seeking an inquiry into the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) internal cleansing program.

The proposed inquiry was contained in Senate Resolution No. 822 filed by the Senate opposition group — Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Antonio Trillanes IV, Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino and Leila de Lima, who is detained in Camp Crame over drug charges.

The resolution directs the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs headed by Senator Panfilo Lacson to conduct the probe.

In the resolution, the senators noted the PNP’s latest pronouncement about its plan to launch a ‘Revitalized PNP Internal Cleansing Strategy” which would employ three approaches —restorative, punitive, and preventive.

READ: PNP bares three-pronged approach to internal cleansing program

“In view of the recent spate of crimes involving police personnel, the Senate recognizes that it is important to inform the public on said revitalized strategy of cleansing their ranks, demand accountability from the PNP, and reassure the public that our PNP personnel will be more committed in the discharge of their duty to serve and protect the people,” they said.

The senators also cited in the measure various reports of erring cops, who were either killed or arrested, for alleged involvement in different illegal activities.

They also noted recent news reports quoting PNP spokesman, Senior Supt. Benigno Durana Jr., as saying that from January 2016 to June 2018, a total of 1,828 police personnel have been dismissed from the service for involvement on various illegal activities. /cbb