Police not Armed Forces

One of the issues that the recent events in Mindanao and the calls for federalism have highlighted is the re-examination of the role of the police in this country. The Philippine National Police was organized in 1991 by combining two separate organizations – the Integrated National Police and the Philippine Constabulary which was then a fourth branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Although the intent of the PNP was to become a civilian organization, there still seems to be some ambivalence as to the exact delineation of functions between the PNP and the Armed Forces. In the Mamasapano Report by the Board of Inquiry, there are statements that make the police sound like a branch of the Armed Forces rather than a separate and distinct civilian  entity.

Oplan Exodus sounds like a military operation. It reminds me of operations in other countries which are undertaken by specialized military units like the Navy SEALS or the Scout Rangers or the Delta Force. In fact one of the recommendations of the BOI report is: “ Cross training between the PNP and the AFP pertaining to management and execution of military-type tactical operations should be institutionalized.”

This provision does not sound like the PNP is a civilian agency even though  is not a substitute nor a parallel force of  the AFP.

In Republic Act No. 6975: An Act Establishing the Philippine National Police Under a Reorganized Department, there is a provision that says:

“However, even after the Department (of Interior and local Government) has assumed primary responsibility on matters affecting internal security including the suppression of insurgency, and there are serious threats to national security and public order, such as where insurgents have gained considerable foothold in the community, thereby, necessitating the employment  of bigger tactical forces and the utilization of higher calibre armaments and better armoured vehicles, the President, may upon recommendation of the peace and order council , call upon the Armed Forces of the Philippines to assume the primary role and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to play the supportive role in the area concerned.”

In the United States, when a major force is required, the state governor is empowered to call out the National Guards to assume the powers of the police in a specific territory. In this way, the concept of the police as being part of the community is not compromised.

One of the most important component in a police force is that of community relations. This means that the policemen are considered members of the community and not as outsiders by the local citizens. They are expected to  act as guardians of the local community.

This was how the concept of modern policing started. It is time we review the mission and organization of the Philippine National Police and remind everyone that the Philippine Constabulary has been disbanded and should not resurface in the guise of another group using a different nomenclature.

History of modern policing

Sir Robert Peel is widely regarded as the father of modern policing. He was appointed in 1822 as the Home Secretary in the United Kingdom. On Sept. 29, 1829 the Metropolitan Police Service was established in London. This became the first modern and professional police force in the world.

Peel decided ” to standardise the police force as an official paid profession, to organise it in a civilian fashion and to make it answerable to the public.” At that time, in England, there were public fears about the deployment of the military in domestic matters. Peel decided to organise the police force along civilian lines and ensure that it did not become a paramilitary force.

The police uniform was deliberately made in the color blue, rather than red which was then the color of the British military uniforms. The police ranks also did not include military titles. Peel also set down basic guidelines for ethical policing.

First, every police officer should be issued an identification number to assure personal accountability for their actions.

Second, whether the police are effective is not measured on the number of arrests, but on the lack of crime.

Third, above all else, an effective authority figure knows trust and accountability are paramount. Peel’s most often quoted principle was that : “ The police are the public and the public are the police.”

The police force was to be an apolitical organization to maintain peace and order and to apprehend criminals for the courts to process according to the law. The police force was envisioned merely as an organ of the judicial system.

The concept of preventive policing or policing to deter crime from taking place, gained influence in the late 18th century when it was argued that  “...it is much better to prevent even one man from being a rogue than apprehending and bringing forty to justice.” Jeremy Bentham was a philosopher who advocated for the establishment of preventive police force and influenced the reforms of Peel.

According to Bentham: “ It is better to prevent crimes than to punish them . This is the chief aim of every good system of legislation...”

Negotiating with Iran

For those who have been closely following the current struggles in the Middle East, one can note the eerie similarities between the problems the Obama administration is having in their current negotiations with Iran and the Philippine government’s attempts to bring peace in Mindanao through negotiations with the MILF.

The American government, together with five major European allies, are trying to negotiate a deal that would ensure that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons. In exchange the Western allies would lift all economic sanctions.

The primary obstacle is, however, not the Iranian government but the US Senate and House of Representatives which are  controlled by Republicans who are openly supporting the stand of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. He  says  Iran cannot be trusted. In fact, he says that there is no point in any form of negotiations unless there is mutual trust. The best recourse is a pre-emptive strike. This means bombing all suspected nuclear facilities in Iran.

The Obama administration has explained that this would mean all out war in the Middle East and a worldwide explosion of terrorist activities. Iran, the leading Shiite nation in the Islamic world, would certainly retaliate and other Shiite groups in Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq will also retaliate. The Western world would then have two forces to contend with – the Sunni led ISIS and Al Qaeda and the Shiite led groups like Hamas.

However, the threat of an all out war does not deter Netanyahu and American political groups who are using this message of distrust and violence to gain popular support. In fact, Netanyahu was just re-elected as Israel’s leader by basing his campaign on a message of fear and distrust of Islamic goals.

Fortunately, President Obama and his European allies have decided to continue the difficult task of trying to negotiate some kind of agreement between Iran and the Western world despite decades of sanctions and conflicts.

For those who advocate war and violence as the path to peace, it would be wise to remember the words of the philosopher Tacitus who once said: “ Where they make it a desert, they call it peace.”

Summer creative writing

classes for kids and teens

The Wonder of Words: Stories, Graphic Lit, Poetry and more, May 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15 (6 sessions), 1 pm-3 pm (for 7-10 years old) and 3:30 pm-5:30 pm (for 11-17 years old) at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street.  Facilitators are Neni Sta. Romana Cruz and Roel Cruz with guest authors Mabi David and Dean Francis Alfar.

Young Writers’ Hangout with published authors, April 18, 25, May 23 and 30, 1 pm-2:30 pm (for 7-17 years old) at Canadian American School Alphaland Makati. 

For registration and fee details contact 0917-6240196 or [email protected]

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