Lacson to PNP: Profile rogue cops, soldiers — not teachers

Sen. Panfilo Lacson

Instead of training their sights on teachers, why not look for former policemen and soldiers who are now guns for hire?

Sen. Panfilo Lacson made the suggestion on Tuesday as he twitted Philippine National Police officials over reports that its officers were profiling members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers.

Lacson, who headed the PNP from 1999 to 2001, said the police should concentrate surveillance efforts on the more substantial threat posed by “expelled law enforcers tagged as suspects in recent heinous crimes.”

Focusing on these “rejects” who, after dishonorable discharge, are likely skilled in handling firearms and other weapons can even help solve or preempt crimes, he said in a statement.

“The PNP should instead conduct profiling and surveillance on dishonorably discharged PNP and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) personnel to keep track of their post-discharge activities, including their lifestyle,” he added.

“In that way, they may be able to solve a lot of crimes, even preempt them,” Lacson said, adding such intelligence work should lead to the solution of heinous crimes, including killings with impunity.

He cited earlier reports indicating that the killers of Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe last December included dismissed Army sergeants who allegedly were part of a local official’s private army.

He said other reports showed that former policemen were among the bodyguards of Mayor Oscar Garin Sr. of Guimbal, Iloilo province, and his son, Rep. Richard Garin, who reportedly beat up a policeman.

“I intend to raise this point when the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs investigates recent cases of killings with impunity,” Lacson said.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian also objected to the PNP move to spy on ACT members.

“The government must always remember that fostering a safe and secure working environment for teachers is essential to ensuring that our children will enjoy a safe and secure learning environment at school,” he said in a statement. —DJ Yap