New PNP-IAS head ready to face police scalawags

MANILA, Philippines — The new head of the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) is ready to face police scalawags, vowing to put in place programs to rid the Philippine National Police of misfits and further professionalize the PNP.

Lawyer Brigido Dulay formally assumed the post of IAS inspector general in a ceremony attended by PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil at Camp Crame on Friday.

In an interview, Dulay said he is not fazed by threats that he might receive from scalawags within the PNP, stressing that he is fully aware of the challenges that comes with the job as the head of a government agency in charge of investigating misconduct and corruption of police officers.

“Kasama naman ‘yan eh. It comes with the post. For us, it’s a job,” he said.

Prior to his appointment as IAS head, Dulay was an undersecretary at the Department of Justice and Department of Foreign Affairs. He also served as deputy administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and as a board member of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

His predecessor, former IAS head Alfegar Triambulo, has received death threats for waging a campaign against police officers involved in extortion, illegal drugs and other nefarious activities.

On his first day on the job, Dulay ordered an audit of all the activities and functions of the IAS to determine areas that needed enhancement.

Dulay also vowed to beef up the number of investigators so that they can address more complaints against police officers suspected to be involved in illegal activities.

He also wants to bring IAS closer to the public so that people who have encountered police scalawags will file complaints before the unit instead of airing their grievances on social media platforms.

“We will investigate, but where is the evidence? That is the point,” Dulay said.