No irregularity in new term for PNP chief — DILG

Interior Secretary Joey Lina has ruled out any irregularity in the term extension of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Director General Leandro Mendoza, saying that it is within the bounds of the law.

"(Critics) are not addressing the real issue. The real issue is that the law allows it and the President is within her right to give additional years to a police official who has already reached the age of retirement," he said.

Lina explained that under the law the term of the PNP chief is four years and that Mendoza has not exceeded that term limit.

"In fact, there is no extension to call for because General Mendoza has just served his first year," he added.

Mendoza was appointed as PNP chief on March 16, 2001 and on March 17, 2002 when he reaches the retirement age of 56, he shall have served for only one year and a day. President Arroyo has extended the term of Mendoza for only another nine months.

A source close to The STAR who requested anonymity cited a resolution 94-002 of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) which clarifies the implications of the compulsory retirement by reason of age of PNP officers and non-officers at the age of 56.

"The Napolcom has clarified that the compulsory retirement does not apply to the PNP chief who is retirable from the service only upon the completion of the four-year term of the office, or sooner terminated or replaced by the appointing authority."

The anti-crime watchdog, Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), threw in its full support behind Mrs. Arroyo’s decision to extend the term of Mendoza.

Dante Jimenez, VACC chairman, reaffirmed yesterday the group’s confidence in the leadership of the PNP chief to effectively steer anti-crime programs.

"In the face of mounting kidnap-for-ransom and other syndicated crimes, one year is simply not enough for the police chief to do his job," he said.

This developed as top officers of the PNP expressed dismay at the alleged politicking by an anti-crime leader following the announcement by the President to extend the term of Mendoza.

Citizens Action Against Crime (CAAC) chair Teresita Ang-See had strongly questioned the extension, citing the PNP chief’s failure to curb kidnapping cases in the country.

Coming to his own defense, Mendoza had retorted that he should not be blamed for the rise in kidnap-for-ransom cases, as these are handled by the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTAF) under the National Anti-Crime Commission (NACC) of the Department of Justice. – Christina Mendez, Perseus Echeminada