990 cops sacked over 12 years

MANILA, Philippines - Close to 1,000 policemen were dismissed for various offenses over the past 12 years, the Philippine National Police -Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) reported yesterday.

Raymundo Dingsay, head of the IAS Prosecution Division, said 990 police officers were dismissed from the service after summary hearing for various offenses.

Dingsay said 625 policemen were demoted, some 3,622 were suspended and 9,391 others exonerated since IAS was established 12 years ago.

Senior Superintendent Jose Rayco, PNP-IAS acting chief, said they received 10,124 complaints, of which 5,724 cases have probable cause and resulted in administrative charges.

“Most of the complaints were about misconduct, which is 77.8 percent, followed by neglect of duty with 7 percent and irregularity in the performance of duty with 4.3 percent,” Rayco said.

Under the zero backlog program, Rayco said IAS recorded a resolution efficiency of 74.45 percent, while 24 legal officers nationwide underwent seminars.

He added that a policeman is required to secure IAS clearance for loan, retirement, travel abroad and scholarship.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo admitted that abuses, irregularities and crimes were committed by rookie policemen or with the ranks of police officer 1 and police officer 2.

PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome said the police force is now evaluating the training modules for police applicants to determine and address the problem on crime involvement of police officers who just entered the service.

Bartolome said he has instructed unit commanders to conduct periodic dialogue with their members to guide them in their daily activities, particularly in dealing with the public.

The PNP chief also added that they are evaluating the background of every rookie policeman to find out what could have driven them to commit abuses.