AFP transfers ownership of camps to PNP

MANILA, Philippines – The housing projects for policemen can now be fully implemented after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) agreed to transfer to the Philippine National Police (PNP) the ownership of a number of camps where houses for Mamang Pulis could be built.

First in the list of AFP properties to be turned over to PNP is Camp Crame, the PNP national headquarters in Quezon City, which is about 33 hectares of prime real estate.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno admitted that the PNP leadership could not push through with some housing projects due to lack of areas that would accommodate the houses.

“This is a landmark day, it marks the beginning of a great effort towards addressing the housing and other needs of the PNP,” Puno said.

In a simple ceremony, Puno, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, PNP chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. and AFP vice chief of staff Lt. Gen. Cardozo Luna signed the agreement to transfer at least 1,000 hectares of land registered as real property of the AFP to the PNP.

With the signing of a memorandum of agreement, Puno said the PNP could carry out its housing programs for policemen in full swing.

“This would bring greater benefit to everyone, the service itself, the community that we serve. We are going to see the effect of all of these very soon. You have seen some of it in the national security initiatives that are taking place,” Puno said.

Under the MOA, the AFP will turn over a total of 1,238.7 hectares of land in at least 200 different areas in the country now being “solely occupied” by police elements.

Other AFP real properties to be transferred to the PNP under the MOA are Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City, the Regional Headquarters of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO); and Camp Castañeda in Silang, Cavite, the training facility of the Philippine National Police Academy.

The 286 parcels of land are situated in different locations, mostly occupied and being used by the PNP as Regional or Provincial Police Offices, Provincial Mobile Group Headquarters and training facilities.

Puno said there are 3,490 hectares of land being jointly occupied by AFP and PNP elements and the turnover process is still being studied by the leadership of the Department of National Defense and the DILG.

Prior to the establishment of the PNP in 1991, these properties were the regional and provincial commands or company headquarters of the defunct Philippine Constabulary.