PNP chief admits finding more than 22,000 bad eggs in police force

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar. Image from PNP

MANILA, Philippines — At least 5,240 errant police personnel were dismissed from the service between July 2016 and August this year, according to Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar.

On the other hand, over 17,000 more were slapped with various penalties that included suspension and demotion, Eleazar told lawmakers as the House of Representatives deliberated on the PNP budget earlier this week.

This was after House Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate criticized the PNP for scrapping its policy of making inquest proceedings mandatory for personnel involved in killings in police operations, particularly in the campaign against illegal drugs.

“Scrapping this antiabuse policy of inquest proceedings against suspected killer cops is truly absurd, unwarranted and even irregular. This would only further embolden police brutality, more killings and worsen the current state of impunity in the country,” Zarate said.

‘Nanlaban’ narrative

According to Zarate, the inquest proceeding would establish if there was prima facie evidence that the slain suspects actually fought back (“nanlaban”).

“The nanlaban narrative is a sham and this may be the primary reason why the rule was scrapped. This is clearly anomalous and even a prima facie evidence of coverup to hide violations of human rights,” he said.

Eleazar said on Wednesday that he already ordered a review of the matter while assuring lawmakers that “the system of accountability in the police organization is working and remains strong, especially with the current quick response on reports of abuses of its personnel.”

According to him, the PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS) conducts motu propio investigations whenever there are deaths or injuries, either of a suspect or a police officer, in any police operation.

“This IAS probe primarily determines if there is probable cause to hold a policeman culpable for a death and assists in the filing of criminal charges,” Eleazar said.