Monday, September 24, 2007 Nalzaro: Politicizing the PNP By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
THE appointment of the Philippine National Police (PNP) officers to key positions is already highly politicized. It seems that politicians have more clout than the police hierarchy in designating police officers, even to the position of town or city police chiefs.
Under the PNP law local chief executives (mayors and governors) have the power to appoint the police chief and provincial director. In the case of the component cities and town police chiefs, the provincial director comes up with at least five candidates and it is up to the mayor to choose. If the local chief executive rejects the candidates, the provincial director comes up with another list until the mayor sees someone he or she likes.
But it’s all for formality sake. The mayor can include in the list someone he favors, and as long as the officer is qualified. If the PNP insists on its list, the chief executive then can threaten to withdraw the local government unit’s support to the police organization. In the case of highly urbanized cities like Cebu and Mandaue and the provincial director, it’s the regional police office who nominates with prior clearance from the Senior Officers Placement Board (SOPB) at Camp Crame. The board is composed of the PNP top brass.
In the case of the regional director, it’s the decision of the PNP hierarchy upon the recommendation of the SOPB and with the approval of the Department of Interior and Local Government secretary and the President. But considering that the President, who is the approving authority, is a politician, the appointment of the regional director is also being exploited by some local politicians for their personal and political agenda.
Here’s a classic example. PRO 7 Director C/Supt. Silverio Alarcio is slated to vacate his position for a higher and coveted position at Camp Crame. The names of Deputy Regional Director for administration C/Supt. Ronald Roderos and a certain C/Supt. Irene Bacolod, presently assigned at Camp Crame, have cropped up as a possible successor of Alarcio.
And you know what? Our political leaders in the region, including Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Gov. Gwen Garcia, are making sure their respective bet gets the appointment. Tomas is lobbying for Bacolod, who is a native of Daanbantayan.
While Gwen, who is the chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council, together with the governors of Siquijor and Oriental Negros, are endorsing Roderos. Bohol Gov. Enrico Aumentado had reportedly endorsed Bacolod but later changed his mind.
Why are our politicians doing this? What are their agenda? I am sure Roderos did not solicit the endorsement of these politicians. I don’t know about Bacolod. Political intervention in the appointment of PNP officers sometimes makes our police ineffective. Whoever gets appointed, can we expect Roderos or either Bacolod to be effective in their campaign against illegal activities free from political intervention from those politicians who helped them get the position?
Politicians have connections and contacts with those engaged in illegal activities. A known masiao financier once admitted supporting a mayoralty candidate during elections period. It’s a Filipino trait called “utang na loob.”
Can we expect the police to launch an all-out campaign against the illegal numbers game if the financier is a campaign funds contributor? No police chief will go against the order of the local chief executive who appointed him to the position.
I know Roderos is highly qualified for the position. He has been assigned here for a quite sometime. He also performed well in past assignments, which was why he got his first star. But it will be an insult on his part if he gets the position because of the strong lobbying and endorsement of some politicians.
Roderos should get the position because of his qualifications and own merits not because of political intervention. Can our politicians stop politicizing the police organization?
