Duterte opposes security turnover

DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte does not favor the proposal to hand over the internal security operations (ISO) to the Philippine National Police (PNP) instead of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

ISO means to keep the peace from the inside, which includes the fight against rebels in the area, the mayor said.

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In a meeting with several military officials last week, Duterte said most of the PNP personnel are not capable of handling the ISO since they lack training.

"There has to be extensive and intensive training of the PNP. We need well-armed, well-trained and seasoned fighters against the rebels. The PNP, at the moment, is ill-prepared to assume such a huge responsibility," Duterte said.

The mayor said should the PNP make all its personnel undergo the extensive training needed, then they will be ready to take over the AFP's task against the rebels in three to five years.

“Samar and Mindanao will surely fall into the hands of the rebels if an ill-prepared PNP would handle the internal security,” Duterte warned.

The mayor instead suggested for the Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National Police (PC-INP) to be reinstated.

The PC-INP was established on August 8, 1975 thru Presidential Decree 765.

On January 1, 1991, the INP was folded into the PC to form the PNP, who took responsibility for most former INP functions, including fire and jail services.

The creation of the PNP underscored the civilian nature of the national police unlike its military operations and ways when it was still in close partnership with the PC. (Ben O. Tesiorna)