Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Senate resumed on Thursday (August 13) the hearing on the modernization of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the improvement of social benefits for the 150,000-strong police force.
The hearing is being held just months after the controversial Mamasapano clash, where close to 70 people were killed, including 44 members of the PNP’s Special Action Force.
Committee on Public Order chair, Sen. Grace Poe, in her opening statement, pointed out the need to restore public trust and confidence in the police.
The police force has been hounded with issues — including the controversial leadership of former PNP chief Alan Purisma, the apparent increase of crime incidents nationwide, and the allegation of policemen linked to incidents of huli-dap.
Thursday’s hearing was also the first for new PNP chief Ricardo Marquez, who was appointed about a month ago.
The hearing is also looking into enhancing specific benefits for the PNP’s uniformed and non-uniformed personnel, such as survivorship and educational benefits for policemen who were killed in the line of duty.
So far, the hearing has largely focused on questions on the PNP’s need to improve its equipment and facilities: from additional firearms, office buildings and even the need to have its own air assets.
The senate committee also briefly looked into the PNP’s recent purchase of more than a thousand patrol jeeps and pickups — which was widely publicized — with Interior Secretary Mar Roxas leading the distribution to different police units.
PNP officials had to defend the bidding and procurement process of the project, following questions raised by Senators Poe and JV Ejercito.
