PNP pushes for tougher laws on bank crime probes

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is pushing for tougher laws to compel banking institutions and private commercial establishments to immediately cooperate in the investigation of crimes.

Fed up with uncooperative private companies, PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said yesterday he will  propose to his classmate in the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1986, former national police chief and Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, to craft a measure that would address the problem.

He cited an incident last Friday in Divisoria, Manila where officials prevented policemen from entering the bank after a robbery had just occurred.

It took two hours before the lawmen were allowed inside to conduct an investigation, a costly delay according to Albayalde as probers could have obtained leads on the suspects’ identities earlier.

He said police officers must be granted immediate access to banks and other commercial establishments such as shopping malls and hotels where crimes had just happened.

Officials of these private companies who would refuse entry to lawmen must get stiffer penalties, Albayalde said.

Albayalde is also peeved at owners of establishments who do not immediately provide surveillance footage, which could help police investigators quickly solve crimes such as murder and robbery.

Maj. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, commander of the police force in Metro Manila, said in some shooting incidents, private firms take two to three days before turning over surveillance footage.