READ: Lack of records, negative gunpowder tests: DOJ releases drug war report
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 24) — Senate hopeful and retired Philippine National Police chief Guillermo Eleazar on Wednesday said he would push to give the PNP-Internal Affairs Service more teeth against erring police officers if elected in next year’s polls.
“Ito ang nakikita ko ngayon na possibly pinagaaralang legislation para lalo pang mapaganda ang disiplina through the disciplinary measures,” Eleazar said in Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.
[Translation: This is what I am possibly studying — crafting this legislation — to improve discipline through disciplinary measures.]
Eleazar said the PNP-IAS should be more “independent” as he noted that currently, its probe findings are only recommendations.
“Pagdating sa disciplinary authorities, who are the chief PNP, the regional directors, or other national support unit directors, ay pwede niyang ibahin iyon base sa kaniyang evaluation,” he added.
[Translation: The disciplinary authorities, who are the chief PNP, the regional directors, or other national support unit directors, can change the decision based on their evaluation.]
In fact, the Department of Justice has noted there were instances where PNP-IAS recommended dismissing police officers over drug war deaths, but its decision was reversed, Eleazar said.
The DOJ earlier reviewed 52 drug war cases, where the PNP-IAS has found administrative liability on the part of police officers. The cases were endorsed to the National Bureau of Investigation for case build-up and filing of criminal complaints if warranted by the evidence.
