Poe wants PNP to name candidates for internal affairs post

Senator Grace Poe. PHOTO FROM SEN. GRACE POE’S OFFICE

Senator Grace Poe is urging the Philippine National Police (PNP) to disclose to the public the civilian candidates being considered to head its Internal Affairs Service (IAS).

PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa earlier told the Senate committee on justice and human rights that a list of civilian candidates for the post had already been submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Sana ilabas nila ang pangalan niya para ngayon palang (Hopefully they release the names this early so that)\we can openly discuss the credentials and the leanings of those people,” Poe said during a forum this week.

“Sabi ko nga, the IAS sana instead of it being under the PNP, should be under the Office of the President para yun yung sikretong mata ng Presidente diyan sa organisasyon ng mga pulis,” she added.

(As I’ve said, the IAS should be under the Office of the President instead of the PNP so that it may act as the President’s secret eyes in the police organization.)

Poe has been pushing for the appointment of a “competent and independent” head of IAS amid reports of the alleged involvement of active police personnel in illegal activities.

She also noted the continued non-implementation of Republic Act No. 8551 or the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998, which mandates that the head of the Internal Affairs should be a civilian.

READ: Poe wants independent leadership of PNP internal affairs service

“Wala akong personal kay Dir. Leuterio, yung head ng IAS. Wala akong personal na complaint sa kanya pero sumusuway tayo sa batas,” said the senator, referring to General Leo Angelo Leuterio, acting head of IAS.

(I have nothing personal against Dir. Leuterio, the head of the IAS. I have no personal complaint against him, but we are violating the law.)

De la Rosa has promised to appoint a new IAS once the PNP has cleaned its own ranks.

“The appointment of General (Leo Angelo) Leuterio as acting head of IAS is temporary. Kapag medyo nag-settle na po kami, kapag na-address na po namin itong problema namin sa bulok sa aming hanay ay ipapasok na po namin yung sibilyan kapag medyo ito’y nawala na, ” he said, responding to Poe’s queries during a Senate hearing.

(Once we have already settled and have addressed the problem of incompetent people among our ranks, we will bring in a civilian.)

“But if you really want that to happen, right away ito ma’am, I can appoint a new IAS,” the PNP chief added. CDG/rga