Marquez's list

PNP Chief Director General Ricardo Marquez really wants to clean house. What he wants is to establish a database of all policemen who have been involved in less than honorable activities. Those with criminal and administrative cases. The idea is to have a reference when promotions or reassignments are to be given to his men. It is not uncommon to hear of police officers who have been involved in questionable, even criminal activities being promoted to higher ranks or more important positions. Activities such as extortion, blackmailing, even robbery and rape. Activities that policemen are supposed to prevent, not participate in. With the establishment of a database, red flags would appear once a police officer involved in the above mentioned activities comes up for promotion.

He has also ordered the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) to "make itself relevant". This after he discovered that complaints filed as far back as nine years ago have not been resolved, when it should be over by ninety days. What else is new? This just proves that cases are buried until they are hopefully forgotten, which allow the dirty police officers to continue working, getting their benefits and even getting promotions. I have likened the PNP to a fraternity, where they would not prosecute one of their own even if involved in crimes and corruption. Obviously, the unreasonably unresolved cases at the IAS proves this.

In his first speech as PNP chief, Gen. Marquez wanted to rid the organization of scalawags and criminals. He has had enough of the saying "palibhasa pulis" that is uttered when policemen get involved in crime. As if this was the norm than the exception. This belief has practically eroded whatever trust the public has on the PNP. And while he and many believe that only a handful are involved in crime and corruption, the whole organization suffers.

Gen. Marquez is on the right track. The image of the PNP must be that of a clean, honest organization of law enforcement officers that have sworn to serve and protect. Nobody wants to see a police force that can be counted on and trusted than the public. With recent incidents such as "rubouts", extortion, drug pushing, kidnap-robbery even on the busiest of thoroughfares and in broad daylight where police officers are involved, the image of the PNP has hit an all-time low. Gen. Marquez' appointment as chief has been welcomed by many sectors. It is hoped that he does clean the ranks, punish the guilty, and restore the image of the PNP that has been less than laudable for decades. Marquez's list is a good start.

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