LGUs asked: Create board to hear complaints vs cops

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Board is pushing for more accountability on the part of local government units and police officers with the recent approval of a resolution urging the creation of the People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB).

The resolution, authored by Board Member John Ismael Borgonia (3rd district), was approved during the board’s regular session last February 10.

The creation of the PLEB in each of the LGUs in Cebu is pursuant to Republic Act No. 6975 or “An Act Establishing the Philippine National Police Under a Reorganized Department of the Interior and Local Government, and for Other Purposes.”

Section 43 of RA 6975 states that, "there shall be at least one (1) PLEB for every municipality and for each of the legislative districts in a city. The PLEB shall have jurisdiction to hear and decide citizen's complaints or cases filed before it against erring officers and members of the PNP. There shall be at least one (1) PLEB for every five hundred (500) city or municipal police personnel."

The law directs that the PLEB shall be composed of any member of the sangguniang panlungsod or the sangguniang bayan chosen by the respective council, a barangay captain of the city or municipality chosen by the association of barangay captains, and "three other members who shall be chosen by the peace and order council from among the respected members of the community known for their probity and integrity, one of whom must be a member of the Bar or, in the absence thereof, a college graduate, or the principal of the central elementary school in the locality".

Copies of the resolution will be furnished to the local chief executives of the province’s cities and municipalities, the PNP regional director, and the DILG-7. (FREEMAN)