PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. has directed the PNP to look into the possible creation of a legal division that would serve as a defense council and focus on defending any police officer charged with various complaints, harassment and flimsy accusations.
The President, during the second PNP command conference in Camp Crame in Quezon City last Tuesday, said the measure aims to protect the PNP from influential groups harassing the police force, especially after arrests.
Marcos said the government cannot ignore the welfare of police officers, especially ordinary policemen and women who have dedicated their lives to doing good in the PNP but cannot afford a lawyer or seek legal services.
He said the office that would be created within the PNP should provide cops with legal advice and other services free of charge.
“We will study it thoroughly because they are already weaponizing the cases. So, once a criminal is arrested, captured on the act, they present good lawyers and the policemen cannot fight it,” he added.
The President said there are cases where after a long, tedious operation and despite enough evidence, criminals are freed after about a week and in turn charge the policemen.
“We have to provide that kind of protection to give our policemen the courage to do their jobs. If they are doing the right thing, they are being harassed,” Marcos said.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil previously said the PNP is planning to hire law firms and private lawyers to help defend policemen facing work-related charges.
Marbil said that while the police force has its own lawyers, sometimes they are “not enough to face attorney(s) de campanilla.”
REDUCING CRIME
The President also directed the PNP to further reduce the crime rate in the country despite the notable decrease in the number of index crimes.
Marcos said while the current crime rates are encouraging, “perhaps we can work a little bit” especially in cases where they are still high such as rape.
He said the police should look at the underlying reasons why these cases remain high.
He said the government in general also still needs to improve its capabilities in fighting cybercrime.
The President said current efforts are actually leading to the arrest of offenders but the country still needs to improve its capabilities.
“We’re improving the rate at which we are able to take the crime, and we are able to prosecute those who are implicated in those crimes,” he said.
Marcos said the PNP data is also being consolidated into a central database to enhance security.
The PNP said the number of crimes decreased by 8.264 percent, from 204,557 from July 2022 to May 2023 to 187,652 from July 2023 to May 31, 2024. Crime solution efficiency also remained relatively stable at the 60 percent mark throughout the nearly two-year period.
In terms of fighting drugs, the President said the government is doing good, citing the confiscation of 321 tons of illegal narcotics in the first five months of 2024.
PNP data showed that it has conducted 92,904 anti-illegal drugs operations which led to the arrest of 116,740 individuals and seizure of P11.89 billion worth of illegal drugs.
In terms of cybercrime, the PNP has completed 421 entrapment operations that led to the arrest of 1,370 individuals; the rescue of 4,157 victims; and the filing of 1,975 cases in court.
RIGHTSIZING THE PNP
As this developed, the PNP is implementing the rightsizing of personnel to reduce redundancy and duplication of work, maximize police force, and enhance police visibility nationwide, Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said in a briefing in Malacanang.
Abalos said the President wants to maximize the police force to avoid duplicity of work and ensure that police officers are focused on working at the community level.
He assured the PNP that the rightsizing of PNP personnel would not mean the firing of some police officers. He said it only means that those with duplicating jobs would be re-assigned to other functions.
CYBERCRIMES
The President also reiterated the need to bolster the capabilities of the PNP to address the rising incidents of cybercrimes in the country.
PNP spokeswoman Col. Jean Fajardo, in a statement yesterday, said: “He emphasized the importance of enhancing the PNP’s capabilities in combating cybercrime, acknowledging the increasing threat posed by digital crimes.”
Data from the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group showed there were 21,269 cases of cybercrime recorded and investigated by the unit last year, up from nearly 14,000 cases recorded in 2022.
Last February, the President ordered the PNP to address the rising number of cybercrimes in the country by investing in technology and training more personnel to handle these cases. He ordered the “strengthening and improvement” of the PNP’s “cybersecurity system,” adding the PNP should “centralize and standardize all communications systems and platforms.”
“He also stressed the importance of gathering intelligence to prevent criminal activities,” said Fajardo.
Fajardo said the President commended the PNP in its anti-drug campaign.
“He urged the PNP to focus on apprehending major suppliers and high-profile drug personalities,” said Fajardo.
Fajardo also said the President highlighted the need for a “comprehensive approach to address illegal gambling.”
The President also ordered the PNP to intensify its efforts to dismantle private armed groups. She said the President emphasized “the need to gather intelligence, seize illegal firearms, and identify potential hotspots to ensure a peaceful electoral process.”
Fajardo said Marcos also emphasized the importance of a thorough security preparation for the coming commemoration of Independence Day on June 12 “to ensure safe and orderly celebrations.”
“Furthermore, he instructed the PNP to intensify intelligence monitoring ahead of the State of the Nation Address, advising vigilance and patience to prevent disruptions,” said Fajardo.
“Overall, President Marcos Jr. expressed satisfaction with the steadily improving performance of the PNP and assured continued support under his leadership,” said Fajardo. — With Victor Reyes
