PNP to study one-strike policy vs commanders on riding-in-tandem attacks

MANILA, Philippines — A high-ranking police official said Tuesday he will raise to the leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) the possibility of adopting the one-strike policy against precinct commanders whose areas will record attacks perpetrated by riding-in-tandem suspects.

Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, chief of the directorial staff of the PNP, said this a day after Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan, deputy chief for operations said the policy would apply to police commanders who will fail to take appropriate action to solve indiscriminate firing incidents in their areas within 24 hours this holiday season and set up measures to prevent attacks of the New People’s Army.

“Magandang suggestion ‘yan. Bilang chief of the directorial staff ay ikokonsuta po natin ‘yan dito sa ating concerned directorial staff at pati po sa pamunuan ng PNP, specifically sa ating officer-in-charge at deputy chief for operations. Titingnan po natin at pag-aaralan ang suggestion na ‘yan,” he said in an interview with DZMM when asked about the matter.

(That is a good suggestion. As chief of the directorial staff, I will consult that to our concerned directorial staff and to the PNP leadership specifically to our officer-in-charge and deputy chief for operations. We will look at it and study that suggestion.)

In a phone interview with INQUIRER.net, Eleazar explained that should this policy be implemented, the station commander will only be relieved from his post if attacks perpetrated by suspects on motorcycles consistently happen in his or her jurisdiction.

He added that the one-strike policy, if applied by the PNP, will force precinct and station commanders to “do everything” and set up efforts to prevent crimes by riding-in-tandem suspects since their positions are at stake.