DILG chief vows to institute reforms in PNP

MANILA, Philippines — A day after President Duterte tasked him to temporarily lead the Philippine National Police, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año yesterday vowed to institute reforms in the PNP, which has been saddled by allegations of corruption among its ranks.

While he is leaving the management of the PNP’s affairs to officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, Año said he is keeping a close watch on the police organization.

“I will just closely supervise the organization and institute reforms that will improve further its efficiency and effectiveness,” he said in a text message to The STAR.

In a separate statement to reporters, Año said he is ready to supervise the PNP until Duterte chooses the country’s next police chief.

“My job is to supervise the organization on his behalf as his alter ego,” Año said.

At least 3,280 police officers have been dismissed from the service since July 2016 due to various grave offenses such as kidnapping, extortion and involvement in the illegal drug trade.

Included are 467 policemen who were kicked out of the PNP for drug-related offenses.

The PNP is among the attached agencies under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) which Año heads.

Año had previously recommended Gamboa, police deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Camilo Pancratius Cascolan and chief of the directorial staff Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar as the next PNP chief.

It has been more than two months since former PNP chief Oscar Albayalde went on non-duty status, ahead of his retirement, amid allegations he protected “ninja cops,” police officers recycling prohibited drugs.

While Duterte has yet to make up his mind, Año said the Chief Executive is closely monitoring the performance and conviction of the three contenders, specifically in the anti-drug campaign and internal cleansing programs to weed out scalawags from the police force.

The PNP, meanwhile, said it fully respects and supports Duterte’s decision designating Año to temporarily lead the administration and control of the organization.

PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said Año, as concurrent chairman of the National Police Commission, is in the best position to channel the strategic direction the President wants for the PNP.

“We will now await further guidance and instructions from Sec. Año and we will give him our full support,” he said in a statement.