DILG to create more local boards to hear complaints vs erring cops
MANILA, Philippines — Amid recent controversies involving policemen, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is eyeing to establish more People’s Law Enforcement Boards (PLEBs) next year to hear complaints of the community against erring members of the police force.
DILG Undersecretary for Peace and Order Bernardo Florece Jr. said this on Monday, as the agency launched the PLEB Online Database System that will allow improved status-tracking of cases filed by members of the community against police officers.
Florece said out of 1,649 municipalities, 85 percent or 1,403 already have their own PLEBs as of this year.
“As of now, 85 percent pa lang [of the municipalities have their PLEBs] pero ang sabi ni Secretary Año, you have to finish this at 100 percent by next year,” he told reporters.
(As of now, only 85 percent [of the municipalities have their PLEBs] but Secretary Año said you have to finish this at 100 percent by next year.)
Under Section 43A of the Republic Act 6975, the PLEB should be composed of any member of the “Sangguniang Panlungsod” or “Sangguniang Bayan” and any barangay captain of the city or municipality concerned chosen by the association of village captains.
Three other members “known for their probity and integrity” should also be included in the board, one of whom must be a lawyer, or in his absence, a college graduate, or the principal of the central elementary school in the locality.
But despite the remaining 15 percent of municipalities yet to have their own PLEBs, the DILG noted a 22 percent increase in the number of PLEBs in 2018 compared to the 1038 PLEBs in 2017.
According to Florece, the municipalities yet to have their own PLEBs are “problematic areas.” He said politics, or conflict on who will head the board from the member of the “Sangguniang Panlungsod” or “Sangguniang Bayan,” might be hampering the creation of other local boards.
“Pero 15 percent lang iyon (But it only composes 15 percent),” he said.
Florece also said 2018 saw lesser complaints against the police through PLEBs. He said local boards have only received 381 complaints this year compared to 455 in 2017.
He further said complaints to PLEB can be grounds for filing administrative or criminal cases against police officers. /kga
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