Cops seek longer term of duty

Policemen are seeking legislation to extend their mandatory retirement age from 56 to 65.

However, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Arturo Lomibao has expressed reservations over the proposal, believing that 65-year-old policemen would be "too old" to remain in the service.

Reporting at a validation workshop yesterday, the PNP said Congress can pass a law extending to 65 the retirement age for policemen bound to desks, not those in the field.

"The government will stand to benefit from the high-level expertise of the more senior, highly-trained and experienced senior police officers," the report said.

Lomibao told police officers that the workshop held at Discovery Suites in Ortigas Center Pasig was part of the PNP’s commitment to improve police service. "We are committed to carry out the transformation program in the PNP in my first 100 days."

The report said about 30 percent of the PNP’s most senior officials, who occupy strategic management posts, are set to retire in the next four to five years. — Cecille Suerte Felipe