PNP CHIEF Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr is reviewing the performance of police commanders before deciding on whether to implement a “major reshuffle” in the police force, Col. Redrico Maranan, chief of the PNP’s Public Information Office, said in a radio interview yesterday.
Maranan said Acorda, who assumed the top police post on Monday last week, wants to see the “statistics of the accomplishments” of PNP commanders before making a decision for a major reshuffle.
“As of now, there is no major reshuffle that’s happening. He wants to see first the performance of field commanders. He said he’s going to look at the numbers,” Maranan added,
Acorda’s predecessor, now retired general Rodolfo Azurin Jr, implemented a a major reshuffle when he assumed the top PNP position in August last year. The reshuffle affected at least 80 generals and colonels.
Maranan said only “minor reassignments” will happen, and these will be to fill up vacancies that will be caused by retirements.
“Many third-level officers (colonels and generals) are retiring this year and because of that we cannot avoid minor reassignments involving third level officers,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rep. Brian Yamsuan (PL, Bicol Saro) assured the PNP that the Congress remains an ally despite its move to investigate the alleged involvement of police officers in the “recycling” of illegal drugs and illegal buy-bust operations.
Yamsuan said the Legislative branch, which is exercising its oversight functions, will continue to support the PNP “as long as they do not commit any wrongdoing in performing their sworn duty of fighting crime.”
“We are here in Congress not to criticize you, but to be your ally as you implement the programs you want for the Philippine National Police. If you have any needs that require discussion, come to us. We are your allies. We are not your enemies here,” said the lawmaker, a former assistant secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, who also served as deputy secretary general of the House of Representatives in the 18th Congress.
The House committee on dangerous drugs chaired by Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, has been investigating the anomalous seizure of 990 kilos of shabu in Tondo, Manila in October 8 last year to unmask “ninja cops” who were involved in the alleged “recycling” of illegal drugs, or the modus of reselling the seized contraband.
Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. has urged 10 PNP officials, including two generals, to tender their leave of absence after exposing a “massive attempt” to cover up Mayo’s arrest.
The Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs chaired by Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, has also conducted its own investigation into the incident.
Another panel, the House committee on public order and safety chaired by Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, has a separate inquiry into the alleged illegal drug buy-bust operations allegedly committed by members of the PNP Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU)-4A in Antipolo City, Rizal.
The inquiry stemmed from a resolution filed by Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop, a former police officer who called the sham buy-bust operations “an affront to the dignity of the police force” and blamed abusive lawmen for having “bastardized the noble profession of law enforcement.” — With Wendell Vigilia
