PNP’s internal cleansing should continue

Public support for the government’s war on illegal drugs and criminality depends on the Philippine National Police’s commitment to internal cleansing.

Crimes in neighborhoods declined because of the elimination of corrupt cops and barangay leaders who coddled drug addicts and their cohorts for years.

Under the Duterte administration, the personnel of city police stations and police community precincts were relieved en masse over public controversies. Even abusive generals and other ranking officers were administratively charged and sacked under the PNP’s “one-strike policy.”

With their salaries doubled, most policemen are now better behaved at checkpoints, mobile/beat patrols and while conducting Oplan Sita, Bakal, Galugad, Katok and other anticrime operations. This is an indication that the PNP is finally becoming a highly capable, effective and credible organization.

In a Social Weather Stations survey conducted in the second quarter of the year, the PNP got a high satisfaction rating of 82 percent. Another survey in February showed that 66 percent of the respondents believed that the number of illegal drug users in their areas had decreased.

But the ongoing “ninja cops” controversy could affect the public’s positive perception of the PNP, especially if the high-ranking generals are believed to be protecting their own, instead of putting the country’s interests first. People are observing the changes in the PNP and hoping that there will be no “backsliding.”

The PNP officer in charge, Police Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, gave the following guidelines to his men on Monday: collective decision-making, no golf on weekdays, no presence in casinos or places of ill-repute, no take from gambling/“kotong,” no using of recovered vehicles or those without license plates, service with a smile and “tamang bihis” (proper uniform).

Asked about the one-strike policy for violations, Gamboa says it should be converted into an “actionable memo” as he tasked units to create the implementing rules. Great plan but to many observers, this is nothing new.

Over the weekend, 21 positions at the PNP were affected in a reshuffle following the ninja cops controversy. Among those removed were the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Police Maj. Gen. Amador Corpus, and Calabarzon police chief Police Brig. Gen. Edward Carranza.

Carranza was replaced by Manila police chief Police Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao, while Central Luzon police chief Police Brig. Gen. Joel Coronel, became the new CIDG director. Police Brig. Gen. Bernabe Balba took over the Manila Police District.

Overheard within the PNP:

Who among the 190 generals qualified to become the next PNP chief has a history of releasing drug suspects in exchange for money? This officer served in Metro Manila.

Who among the 190 generals qualified to become the next PNP chief is tagged as an outcast by his “mistah” for being too strict and at times, “unreasonable”?

Who among the 190 generals qualified to become the next PNP chief was involved in a sexual abuse incident involving an underclass when he was a plebe at the academy?