MANILA, Philippines - Opposition and independent lawmakers asked yesterday the ruling Liberal Party (LP) to keep its hands off the promotion process in the Philippine National Police (PNP) to insulate it from politics and prevent it from being distracted from its duties of maintaining peace and order.
The lawmakers made the call following reports of a revamp in the PNP starting next month until 2015.
Reps. Lito Atienza of the Buhay party-list group and Jonathan de la Cruz of the Abakada party-list group said they were worried over persistent reports of intervention in the PNP promotion system by top administration officials that could seriously spoil professionalism in the police service and set off serious demoralization problems.
Atienza asked Malacañang to ensure the PNP is shielded from politics.
“I am sharing the apprehension that political interest can intervene in (PNP) assignments. This reshuffle and review is long overdue with the miserable performance of the present setup,” he said.
De la Cruz called for public vigilance to “expose political maneuvering” within the police service.
“As much as possible, we should insulate the PNP from political pressures,” he said.
Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said he received information that an LP senator is exerting efforts to have his former aide de camp, now a police general, appointed as the next PNP chief in time for the election period.
The lawmaker warned that political intervention in PNP, which adversely affects its peace and order functions, would worsen as the 2016 election approaches.
“Any PNP revamp at this point will surely have 2016 on its mind,” Ridon said.
“It is thus imperative for the public to test whether the loyalty of senior officers benefiting from a revamp is not to the ruling party,” he added.