Manila’s Finest bats for localization of police

An organization of Manila policemen has renewed their call for the localization of the police force as an effective set-up in the government’s fight against crime groups.

The 10,000-strong Manila’s Finest Brotherhood Association, Inc. (MFBAI) said that placing the control and supervision of the police force to local government units (LGUs) will compel local officials to be answerable to the peace and order situation prevailing in their areas of jurisdiction.

President Arroyo favors the localization of the police force, with Metro Manila being considered as the "testing ground" for the proposal.

The Metro Manila Mayor’s League headed by Manila Mayor Lito Atienza also agreed with Mrs. Arroyo’s plan for the mayors to gain absolute control over the local police force.

The MFBAI believes that localization of the police force will give a chance to every police officials to hold key positions in the local police force.

It argued that the present set-up gives undue advantage when it comes to promotion and placement to graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

The group said that placing the police force under the control and supervision of local officials has its advantage since the local executives is more familiar with the expertise and capability of their policemen.

According to the group, an organic policeman or an officer who has his roots in the city he is protecting is more familiar with the people, culture and terrain of the place, hence, monitoring of crime groups is easier.

Transparency of logistics appropriation like mobile cars, radio equipment, computers, office supplies, firearms and ammunition can also be easily monitored since it will be the local government that takes charge of procurement, the MFBAI said.

Local executives likewise, can easily grant incentives and allowances to its police units without going through the bureaucratic maze in the national government, the group added.

However, the MFBAI’s call is bound to meet stiff opposition as even the National Police Commission (Napolcom) claims the localization of the police force is not possible under the present Constitution.

Napolcom vice chairman and executive officer Rogelio Pureza cited Article XVI, Section 6 of the Constitution and Republic Act 6975 creating the Philippine National Police which states that the police force is national in scope.

He said the local executives have already enough powers over the police force since they have a hand in the hiring of new policemen in their capacity as chairpersons of the city or municipal peace and order councils under the existing laws and circulars issued by the Napolcom.