Barbers seeks bigger intel fund for PNP, AFP

Sen. Robert Barbers called yesterday for the allocation of bigger intelligence fund to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Barbers, chairman of the Senate committee on public order and illegal drugs, said that he favors the increase in the intelligence fund but stressed that he is against the current allocation of a big slice of the fund to Malacañang.

Of the current P1.2-billion intelligence fund, P648 million is allocated to the National Anti-Crime Commission (NACC), the successor of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF).

"The PNP and the AFP intelligence operatives should get more because they are the ones working, they are the people in the field," he explained.

He said that an increase in the intelligence fund is necessary because of the growing threat of terrorism.

"Very often, bombings indicated lapses in intelligence work. We need stronger intelligence networking," Barbers said.

Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin said it does not really make any difference if the intelligence fund is reverted to the PNP, the AFP and other agencies.

"I think it does not make that much difference because nothing can be released from the intelligence fund unless authorized by the President," Boncodin explained.

She, however, added that she prefers Malacañang to continue enjoying the lion’s share of the intelligence fund.