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Friday, March 28, 2008
PMA cops to PNPA: Wait for your turn
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- The full-page advertisement in a national paper containing alleged discrimination against Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) graduates over Philippine Military Academy (PMA) alumni is taking its toll in Davao region.
Officials also traced the full-page advertisement to retired General Rogelio Asignado, former director of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) before being appointed to the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC).
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
In Davao region, PMA graduates advised PNPA graduates to sit and wait for their turn before making any complaint over alleged unfair treatment among PNPA alumni, especially on promotion.
In a text message, Superintendent Matthew Baccay, a PMA alumnus and chief of the Talomo police in Davao City, said PNPA officials must first improve their performance before they expect to be promoted.
"The problem really is with them (PNPA) mismo, they are a bunch of officers na kung sa factory pa mga substandard. Sino ba ang PNPA grads dyan sa atin na matatawag mo magaling (Who among the PNPA graduates here can be called good)? Gusto nila to be given juicy positions then they must show they are qualified. Ang problema, hindi eh (The problem is they are not)," Baccay, also a lawyer, said.
He said PMA and PNPA graduates have long been on equal footing. He said in Davao City alone, eight of the 12 police precincts are headed by PNPA graduates. Baccay is a PMA Class 1992 graduate.
Police Regional Director Andres Caro meanwhile suspects that this latest "unrest" among police officials is the handiwork of the opposition.
He said since the Philippine National Police (PNP) is known to be solid in its support for the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, some sectors out to oust the President could now be trying to use the PNP instead of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in its destabilization efforts.
Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, interviewed by reporters during the PNPA graduation Thursday, said these recent developments could be part of a destabilization attempt against the administration.
"It smacks of destabilization and the perception that there is a serious problem is actually fabricated," said Puno.
Asignado, who leads the oath-taking of PNPA graduates in Silang, Cavite Thursday admitted being the source of the full-page advertisement complaining of the alleged discrimination within the ranks of the PNP between graduates of the country's premiere military academy and the PNPA.
The DILG secretary said they do not want to make a bigger issue of the advertisement although investigation is ongoing on where the funds came from.
But he clarified that the issues raised in the advertisement are being looked into by the PNP Director General Avelino Razon Jr. in his discussion with the various presidents of the PNPA alumni classes, PMA graduates who are members of the PNP and even those who entered the service through lateral entry.
Puno said Asignado promised to furnish him the name of other alumnus who joined him in making the advertisement.
He said the retired general could be removed as PPSC vice president for administration for coming up with an insinuation.
Stay out of politics
President Arroyo at the same time asked PNPA graduates during the graduation ceremonies on Thursday to be examples in protecting the people and continue providing peace, order and stability for the country.
She said the concern of the PNPA graduates, who will be joining the police force with the ranks of inspector (the military equivalent of lieutenant), is peace, order and stability.
The President also thanked 2008 Class valedictorian Oman Silang Clent Ven Dulfo Inciso for expressing his class' support for the country's institutions and democracy.
Inciso, in his valedictory address, also urged his classmates and the media to help change the public perception that policemen are corrupt.
Benefits
Arroyo told the 153-strong Oman Silang Class of 2008 that policemen will benefit from the 10 percent salary increase for government workers starting July 1.
She also said parts of the untilled lands around the PNPA compound would be converted into housing for police and military personnel to ensure that they live decently, instead of living in slum areas with the criminals they apprehend.
According to her, the PNP modernization would be fast-tracked in view of the 2010 deadline to win the war against insurgency. She said the PNP would get 23 helicopters, with six of them coming in this year.
She said the police force would also be getting patrol crafts for the Maritime Command and the tourism police, more modern weaponry like night vision equipment, and forensic and investigative crime laboratory aids.
Arroyo said more patrol cars would be bought and the gasoline allocation would be increased in the light of higher petroleum prices. (With reports from JMR/AH/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro. (March 28, 2008 issue)
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