MANILA, Philippines — Why not conduct profiling and surveillance, including a lifestyle check on “dishonorably discharged” cops and soldiers?
Senator Panfilo Lacson, who was a former police chief, gave this unsolicited advice to the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday, following its reported profiling of members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT).
Instead of the teachers’ groups, Lacson said the PNP should train profiling and surveillance efforts on dishonorably discharged police and military personnel who have become guns for hire.
Focusing on these “rejects,” who are likely skilled with firearms and other weapons, could even help solve or even preempt crimes, the senator said in a statement.
“The PNP should instead conduct profiling and surveillance on dishonorably discharged PNP and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) personnel to keep track of their post-discharge activities including their lifestyle,” Lacson said.
Such intelligence work, Lacson said, should be part of the solution of recent heinous crimes, including killings with impunity.
The senator then cited earlier reports of dismissed Army sergeants who were allegedly involved in the killing AKO Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe last December.
He also noted reports that former policemen were among the armed bodyguards of Guimbal Mayor Oscar Garin and his son Rep. Richard Garin, who mauled a policeman also last December.
“I intend to raise this point when the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs investigates recent cases of killings with impunity,” added Lacson, who chairs the committee. /je
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