MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino assured members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday that the modernization of the police force would continue even without the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).
The P4 trillion needed for the PNP’s pension system would also be addressed.
In his speech during the 113th anniversary celebration of the police service at PNP headquarters at Camp Crame, Quezon City, Aquino said the government has allocated a large amount in the 2015 budget for more firearms, housing projects and a fixed pension system for the police force.
Aquino said these moves would help improve the lives of policemen while upgrading their capability and visibility as well.
“Do not worry about the plan to ‘shoot, scoot and communicate’ not pushing through because of the decision on the DAP. We are continuously taking steps to ensure modernization without interruption,” Aquino said.
The Supreme Court has struck down parts of the DAP as unconstitutional.
According to the President, the government has already achieved its one-is-to-one police-pistol ratio, unlike in the past when new police recruits would have to buy the right to use the firearms of those who would retire.
He said it was one proof that something was wrong with the previous administration.
The President also noted the planned hiring of more police officers, purchase of additional radio equipment and patrol vehicles and efforts to upgrade the police’s forensic capability and a more organized crime reporting system.
These include the use of the Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) to record information on all firearms in the country, as well as the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), which stores information on fingerprints of criminal suspects.
Aquino said the government invested in housing projects for the welfare of the country’s police force, noting that 98 percent of its target of 31,200 houses for policemen and soldiers had been completed.
“This is equivalent to 30,558 houses already built. 14,040 of these units are allotted for the police force and the final list of awardees for this program is now being submitted to the (National Housing Authority),” Aquino said.
The President said the PNP was also looking to hire an initial 7,439 personnel of the targeted 30,000 non-uniformed personnel to handle administrative tasks so those in uniform could focus on fieldwork.
He said the government was also allotting P100 million for the construction of police stations all over the country.
Pension
Aquino further noted the government was also finding ways to fix the pension system in the PNP – estimated at P4 trillion – and told them they must be properly compensated for the work they were doing for the country.
He said it was quite clear that more police officers were needed, given the country’s increasing population. However, Aquino said they would have to address first the problem with the pension funds for retirees.
Aquino said there was no pension system for the uniformed forces and thus the need to allot budget for it every year.
Aside from this, the retirees’ pension was indexed on the current salaries of those in active service.
“They told us we would be needing P4 trillion to fix the pension system – that is the seed capital. Meaning, even if we give all of the proposed P2.6 trillion budget for 2015, the funds are still not enough for just one program – the pension system. That’s how big the problem that is left to us. But we are determined, we will always find means to address this,” Aquino said.
Aquino urged the police force not to get tired of serving the public and even asked them to look into the mirror each day and ask if they have done what they had to do for the country that day.
The President said they should challenge themselves to do better the next day for the sake of the people.
He said the government would do its part to give back, as he was aware of their sacrifices to maintain peace and order as well as protect the rights of the people.
During the event, Aquino recognized several police personnel and PNP units for their outstanding achievements.
He commended the Zamboanga City Public Safety Company for being the first unit to respond during the Zamboanga City siege in September last year, as well as Police Superintendent Lambert Suerte of the Benguet Provincial Public Safety Company for seizing the largest camp of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the Cordillera and capturing the group’s leader in 2013.
He also cited the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, headed by Police Director Benjamin Magalong, for apprehending 3,453 fugitives, including 22 most wanted in the country, last year.
Aquino recognized the achievement of Senior Police Officer 1 Dominador Canlas, who saved three children during an operation against the NPA in Tarlac.
The President said these great policemen were reflective of the concern and professionalism of those in uniform.
Other awardees include PNP Deputy Chief for Administration Felipe Rojas Jr., Police Chief Inspector Juanito Gaces Jr., Police Officer 2 Crissandra Aggabao, Police Regional Office 9, Anti-Cybercrime Group, Crime Laboratory and Cagayan Police Provincial Office, Abra Police Provincial Office, President Roxas Municipal Police Station, and the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force.
PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima cited the reforms he initiated in the police force.
Purisima said he is happy that the program he initiated has brought good results as shown in the recent Pulse Asia survey last June 2014 where the present administration garnered “a majority approval rating of 54 percent in fighting crime.”
The PNP chief has been the subject of criticism for the past months due to the alleged questionable contract with Wer Fast, which bagged the contract for delivering license cards to gun owners, the construction of the official residence of the PNP chief and his numerous real estate properties that were not included in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.
With the PNP agreement with Wer Fast, gun owners had to pay P190 for the delivery of their gun license. The policy, however, was questioned for being unreasonable and overpriced, thus the measure was recalled.
Despite the outpouring of criticism, Purisima said he has become more determined to pursue reforms in the organization to prove to the public that the police force is composed of men who are honorable, brave and committed to truthful service.– With Cecille Suerte Felipe