WPD cops decry ‘exile system’

The Manila’s Finest Brotherhood Association, Inc. (MFBAI) is seeking the intervention of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to stop the transfer of policemen to remote provinces as a form of disciplinary action by the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO).

The MFBAI alleged that the internal discipline implemented by the NCRPO for absences or tardiness during roll call formation and improper or incomplete uniform were considered "minor offenses" under Section 41 of Republic Act 6975.

It added that in dealing with these minor offenses, the duly designated officers of the Philippine National Police shall, after due notice and summary hearing, exercise disciplinary powers. The group claimed that indiscriminate transfer of personnel is being implemented up to present, with some 400 Western Police District (WPD) personnel already affected.

According to MFBAI, transfer of personnel is a management decision and should not serve as a punishment for an offense.

The group said that after the transfer orders have been issued, the subject policeman is made to submit an explanation of his supposed misdemeanors under pain of the implementation of his transfer order. "This is tacit admission that there were lapses in the disciplinary procedure which was too harsh for minor offenses," the MFBAI said, adding a policeman transferred to an unfamiliar place becomes useless and ineffective. – Nestor Etolle