THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has leveled up its internal cleansing program by forming squads that will spearhead a restorative training program with emphasis on values formation and spiritual development, and strengthening of families.
Based on PNP records, 5,582 police personnel since July 2016 have been charged.
Of the total, 481 policemen were demoted, 4,161 suspended, 195 forfeited their salary, 619 were reprimanded, 41 restricted and 85 had their privileges withheld.
Aside from these officers, 2,400 police personnel have been dismissed from the service.
PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde said the “squad concept” is more intimate and personal as it covers spiritual and personal aspects, values formation and family matter, which he said were among the factors affecting the character of a policeman.
“Well this launching of the new internal cleansing program is ‘yung tinatawag namin restorative approach ng aming internal cleansing program. Ito ‘yung squad concept, you have a squad leader who will teach and guide you. Sila ‘yung magli-lead. We have stakeholders, non-government organizations na nandito especially from the religious sector na mag-guide sa ating mga pulis,” said Albayalde.
“This is one way of changing the attitude kaya sabi ko nga ito is more intimate, more personal. This is one way of changing the attitude of our policemen. Well of course alam naman natin if you are God-fearing, we want to create a God fearing personnel, family based organization na sinasabi at service oriented na mga personnel natin lahat,” he added.
Albayalde said they are looking forward to having all PNP personnel become part of a squad as a measure to prevent them from getting involved in illegal activities.
However, due to lack of qualified personnel who can serve as leaders, Albayalde said they will be prioritizing the personnel facing administrative charges but still has potential to be restored and be reintegrated in the service.
He said the squad will remain even if the member is no longer facing any administrative charges.
“Dito will be continuous itong squad concept natin. Whether may offense ka or wala. Hindi ito nakatutok kasi this is one way of enhancing ‘yung values, spiritual nila. Kapag nalo-low morale ‘yung squadmate mo, bibigyan mo ng pep talk. Kapag medyo nalilihis ‘yung kanyang landas kailangan mo kausapin. Ito ang squad concept natin. Ngayon kung talagang kailangan idismiss, ididismiss natin,” said Albayalde.
In the past, the PNP sent erring cops to Mindanao or required them to undergo 30 days of values formation training in Zambales.
Albayalde said the training in Zambales can only accommodate a limited number of persons at a time while those being assigned in Mindanao are usually being assigned back to their original post and will just continue their illegal activities.
Meantime, Albayalde noted that the PNP is continuously strengthening the PNP recruitment to not let any “potential” erring cops from entering their ranks by using just barcodes to avoid politics.
“If you will remember nung nasa NCR ako and nandito ngayon we adopted ‘yung no human contact policy when it comes to neuro-psyhiatric test. So ngayon ni-launch na rin namin sa Region 10 yan and other regions nationwide para ito ‘yung mga bumabagsak kahit na bumagsak ay nadu-duktor at pumapasa sila,” said Albayalde.
“Ngayon barcoded yan. Kapag bumagsak ka sa neuro if you are an applicant there is no way para makahanap ka ng ninong para ma-correct ‘yung neuro test mo dahil barcoded yan. Hindi alam nung tutulong sa iyo kung sino ka kasi barcoded yan,” he added. (SunStar Philippines)