PRO-7 to start heeding new PNP director's order

CEBU - While waiting for implementing rules, the Police Regional Office-7 will implement the recent directive of the new Philippine National Police director general Jesus Versoza on the handling of arrested suspects.

In yesterday’s fourth quarter command conference of all provincial and unit directors of Central Visayas, PRO-7 director Ronald Roderos ordered those in attendance to follow the new rule even if the Implementing Rules and Regulations are still to be issued.

Versoza, in his first days as PNP chief, issued an order that the organization will no longer parade the suspects in the public and the media like in a firing squad.

At the same time, Roderos said that any investigator or police officer who cannot stop incidents of mauling, slapping or hitting of suspects by the victim or aggrieved party will be placed on retraining.

Roderos said Police Chief Supt. Geary Barias is currently crafting the IRR of the new directives.

Versoza’s thrust is to create a more human rights-friendly police organization following talks with Commission on Human Rights chairperson Leila de Lima prior to his assumption as PNP chief.

De Lima suggested that the PNP should do away with its usual practice of parading suspects before TV cameras.

The proposal was consulted with members of the media in Manila since presentation of suspects to the public also has some advantage.

Furthermore, Roderos also informed those attending the quarterly meeting that there will be a massive training among police personnel to handle police and media information.

There will be appointments of police information officers at the lowest level, he added.

The PIOs’ tasks will be in consonance with the responsibilities of the Police Community Relations Office.

Roderos said this will not happen overnight but they will make sure this would be implemented before the year ends. — Ferliza C. Contratista/WAB (THE FREEMAN)