Civilian as PNP internal affairs chief ‘positive step’—Poe
Senator Grace Poe. OSGP Communications Team
Sen. Grace Poe on Friday expressed optimism with the appointment of a non-police officer to head the Philippine National Police Internal Affairs Services (PNP-IAS), hoping this would lead to impartial investigations of police officers tagged in wrongdoing.
Noting that the move is mandated by the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998, Poe has been vocal in pressing for the replacement of a police officer as IAS head amid continuing police anti-drug operations that have led to a spate of killings, drawing suspicion of irregularities.
On Thursday, PNP Director-General Ronald dela Rosa confirmed that lawyer Alfegar Triambulo, former Davao regional director of the National Police Commission (Napolcom), has been appointed as PNP-IAS Inspector General.
READ: Civilian lawyer named PNP Internal Affairs chief
He replaced Chief Insp. Leo Angelo Leuterio, the acting deputy inspector-general who has appeared in several Senate hearings on extrajudicial killings.
“I welcome the appointment of a civilian lawyer to head the PNP’s Internal Affairs Services (PNP-IAS),” said Poe Friday morning.
“This long overdue compliance with what the law mandates is a positive step towards hopefully providing the desired institutional mechanism that will undertake internal investigations within the police organization that should be objective, credible and insulated from any form of peer pressure,” she told the Inquirer when sought for comment.
She said “the absence of any known derogatory records against him (Triambulo)” and his previous work at the Napolcom are “reasons enough to be hopeful.”
“I wish him well and assure him of my utmost support to ensure his success,” said Poe.
She, however, hoped that the change would lead to investigations that are both fair and fast.
“I should add though my hope that the investigations, aside from being fair, independent and credible, must be done and concluded with dispatch,” she said./rga
