Davide supports PC revival; but expresses apprehensions

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III expressed support for the revival of the long-gone Philippine Constabulary (PC) to help in the anti-drug campaign.

However, he said Malacañang should carefully scrutinize the PC’s revival, as the group was more remembered for its abuses during the implementation of the martial law, rather than curbing lawlessness in the country.

“I’m open of course anything that will contribute to the peace and order not only for Cebu but also for the entire country.  Okay raman ko basta makatabang sa peace and order, but tun-an lang maayo kay at some point in the history, (the PC) was very notorious,” he said.

 The PC was a law enforcement arm that became notorious for its human rights abuses during the martial law years.

Former President Ferdinand E. Marcos reportedly used the PC to implement his strongman rule and arrest those deemed critical of the dictatorship.

From 1972 to 1981, about 70,000 people were imprisoned, 34,000 tortured, and 3,240 killed, according to the Amnesty International.

As a militarized police force, the PC handled peace and order concerns while the other major commands fought insurgencies and rebel movements.

Malacañang on Tuesday floated the idea of reviving the PC to augment the manpower of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, which now leads the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

The PC was established in 1901 to maintain peace and order in the country, but it was abolished in the 1990s and replaced by the PNP.

It was the PC that implemented the martial law in 1971 by arresting activists, taking over key private establishments, traffic control, and even garbage collection.

In 1991, several years after dictator Ferdinand Marcos was ousted through the EDSA Revolution, the PC and the Integrated National Police – the police force for cities and large towns – were dissolved, leading to the creation of the civilian PNP.

Republic Act No. 6975 led to the formation of the current PNP in 1991 under the Department of the Interior and Local Government. (FREEMAN)