Ebdane gets OK to revamp police force

President Arroyo has given Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. a free hand to revamp the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Mrs. Arroyo sees the PNP reorganization as an "operational matter" that should be decided by Ebdane.

"The proposed PNP (revamp) could be decided without consultation with the President," he said. "It does not normally need a go-signal from Malacañang."

Bunye said Malacañang does not know the details of the reorganization being planned by Ebdane within the PNP.

"As far as I know General Ebdane will personally decide the new assignments, and he need not clear it with the President, specially if they are routine movements of personnel."

In La Trinidad, Benguet, Ebdane said the revamp will be completed by middle of next month from the regional commands down to the smallest police station.

Ebdane said the rotation of police officials will be based on their tenure, performance and their acceptability in the communities where they are assigned.

"Officers who had been occupying their positions for two years or more will be affected," he said.

Ebdane said police officials who have been the subject of complaints by the community, or his men whom he cannot discipline will be included in the revamp. — Mayen Jaymalin, Artemio Dumlao