PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Debold Sinas said on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, that they will continue to inform the University of the Philippines (UP) administration about any operations within its campuses.
Sinas said there is an agreement between UP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) which is similar to the abrogated agreement between UP and the Department of National Defense (DND).
Sinas said the PNP supports the termination of the UP-DND accord, but they are still bound to follow the UP-DILG agreement. The PNP is under DILG.
The agreement requires the police to coordinate with the UP administration in the conduct of any operations within the university’s campuses.
At present, Sinas said they find it difficult to immediately respond to any incident inside UP campuses because of the agreement.
“Pag may mga insidente doon bago kami makapasok, wala na ang Soco (scene of the crime operatives) team natin. Ang investigators natin that will respond immediately ay wala na (maabutan) at saka ‘yung mga activities nila doon hindi namo-monitor,” he said.
Sinas assured that that their only concern inside UP campuses is the maintenance of peace and order.
Lorenzana ordered the termination of the UP-DND agreement effective January 15, 2021.
Under the agreement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police are required to coordinate with the UP administration prior to the conduct of any operations inside the UP campuses, except during an emergency situation, hot pursuit operations or the leadership requested for their assistance. (SunStar Philippines)