Noy vows to dismantle bata-bata system in PNP

SILANG, Cavite, Philippines  – President Aquino vowed yesterday to dismantle the culture of factionalism or the bata-bata system within the Philippine National Police as he continued the search for the next PNP chief.

Speaking at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) commencement exercises here, the President said the country needed solidarity among leaders and members of the police force so that the policemen would be effective protectors of Filipinos.

“Our challenge to the next chief of our national police force: Craft the plans that will lead to greater unity in the ranks of the police. Let us change the culture of factionalism within the PNP,” he said.

Amid calls for him to immediately name a replacement for resigned PNP chief Alan Purisima, a source said Aquino did not want two changes of command in a year and this would apparently put the chances of PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina in peril. Espina will be retiring in July this year.

Meanwhile, the source also pointed out PNP directorial staff chief Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo Jr. would retire in March of 2016, which was very near the elections.

“He wants somebody who will be there beyond the elections,” the source said, adding two-star generals in the police would likely be considered.

The President had interviewed Espina and Garbo for the position. Earlier reports said five others were being considered for the job, including National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Carmelo Valmoria. But Valmoria is also retiring in July this year.

The President said that with the resurgence of the economy came the greater wherewithal to focus on the concerns regarding the training and equipment of the PNP, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the Bureau of Fire Protection.

In 2014, the President said they were able to address the backlog in pistols when they procured 74,879 Glock 9 mm pistols.

In addition, 12,399 handheld radios and 144 patrol jeeps have been turned over to the PNP from 2010 to 2014. In March, 4,859 non-uniformed personnel were hired to focus on administrative work, to allow more policemen to patrol the communities.

Also last year, 9,860 police officer 1 positions were filled, and P1.64 billion has been allotted for an additional 10,000 PO1 positions.

“And for our Special Action Force: We are studying carefully the lessons learned from Mamasapano, in order to ensure, to the best of our abilities, minimal risk for an operation. We will continue to enhance your training and equipment needs, and we will give you the care and attention that you deserve as an elite unit of the PNP,” Aquino said.

Indeed, Aquino said much had changed in the way that government treated the police.

“Now, there is high morale, accompanied by an extensive list of achievements. Sr. Insp. Charity Galvez is a good example of this; she led her comrades in repelling the attack of around 250 members of the NPA on their precinct in Agusan del Sur in 2011. Our policemen in Mati City, Davao Oriental, likewise succeeded in defending their precinct against an attack of some 80 rebels,” the President said.  – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Jess Diaz