PNP says IAS’ independence requires a ‘lot of study’

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said pushing for Internal Affairs Service (IAS) to become an independent body from the police force needs a “lot of study,” citing IAS’ lack of organization.

“I know their sentiments because they have been asking for fiscal independence and for real adjudicatory powers. Pwede nila sabihin na i-dsimiss nila [yung police at] wala nang gagawin ang regional director or chief PNP but to implement it, but it requires a lot of study,” PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa told reporters on Wednesday after the NCRPO turnover ceremony in Taguig City.

(They can say that they can dismiss the police officer and that the regional director or chief PNP will have nothing to do but follow IAS’ order but it requires a lot of study.)

“Kasi kulang kulang pa rin ang Internal Affairs Service (IAS is still lacking). They are not that organized. Kasi nga walang independence, na-fi-feel nila (They feel they do not have independence,) so it does not encourage people to be assigned there,” he added.

The IAS is tasked to automatically conduct its own probe on matters concerning PNP personnel without orders from the PNP chief.

However, Gamboa said the PNP unit’s recommended punishment for a policeman can still be reviewed if the PNP chief is not content with the punishment.

“If the regional director of IAS recommends a punishment, it can still be reviewed and actually reinvestigated if the disciplinary authority like the regional director of the PNP is not contented,” Gamboa said.

In an interview with dzMM, IAS chief Lawyer Alfegar Triambulo said their unit should be split from the PNP so that they can strictly enforce their punishment against erring policemen.

“Lalo na kung ‘yan [IAS] ay independent sana. ‘Yan ang aming sinusulong katulad ng karamihang IAS ang aming napuntahan sa ibang bansa kaya sila ay matibay at kinakatakutan ng ating mga police organization dahil sila ay independent,” Triambulo said.

(Especially if IAS can become independent. That is what we are pushing for just like every other IAS in other countries, they have a firm organization, and police organizations are scared of them because they are independent.)

Gamboa likewise said they are also looking into offering a “special leave pay” for IAS personnel to avoid bribery within their unit.

“They have additional allowances which we call a special leave pay which is 50 percent of their total pay, which should be given so that hindi na sila ma-implewensiyahan, hindi na sila mabribe (they won’t influenced or bribed),” he said.

On Tuesday, Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Rep. Jericho Nograles filed a bill that aims to remove IAS from the PNP and become an independent body under the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

This would allow IAS to have prosecutorial power instead of recommendatory on imposing punishment against rogue policemen. /je

READ: ‘Ninja cops’ mess should prompt creation of an independent IAS — solon