Cops told to ensure conviction of crime suspects

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Jesus Verzosa has ordered all policemen nationwide to religiously monitor criminal charges that they filed in court against suspected criminals to ensure their convictions.

Verzosa issued the directive following reports that many criminals got away from prosecution and conviction due to the negligence of arresting police officers to attend court hearings.

He warned that police officers and their immediate superiors who would ignore his directive would face sanctions.

“Failure of a police officer to perform his obligation to the court shall not be his sole liability but his immediate superior officer’s as well under the doctrine of command responsibility,” he said.

Verzosa said the PNP leadership has taken all police commanders to task in ensuring the prompt and efficient service of subpoenas and other legal processes issued by the courts.

On orders of Verzosa, Chief Superintendent Arturo Cacdac, head of the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management, has issued a memorandum requiring all policemen to submit to his office an updated master list of all subpoenas and other legal processes for central monitoring.

The memorandum was sent to all PNP regional directors and heads of national support units and offices nationwide.

Verzosa said the proper implementation of and compliance with this policy by all police units and personnel would redound to the speedy disposition of cases and the proper and fair administration of justice consistent with the PNP’s mandate.

For his part, Cacdac said the centralized monitoring system of court processes will also ensure effective coordination with the National Prosecution Service for the successful prosecution of criminal cases in court.

Cacdac said the immediate superior of the designated court process officer shall exercise his authority to ensure that the latter performs his responsibility to guarantee the timely service of subpoenas and other legal processes, with the highest degree of dedication.