Puno to PNP: Follow rules on reshuffling personnel

Due to the recent controversy involving the post of Manila Police District (MPD) director, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno reminded the Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday to observe proper procedure in the transfer of assignments of its officials and personnel.

Puno, concurrent chairman of the National Police Commission, said PNP officials should submit the names of PNP personnel for key provincial and district positions to the Napolcom before submitting their recommendation to local chief executives.

“The commission has noted that ignoring such measures, sometimes result in the designation of officers who do not meet the required qualifications provided under the law,” he said.

A recent directive of the PNP leadership, appointing Southern Police District (SPD) director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales to the MPD, highlighted the officials’ apparent ignorance of procedure.

Under the PNP directive, Rosales would replace MPD chief Senior Superintendent Danilo Abarzosa, who would be reassigned as administrator of the PNP Academy. The SPD post, on the other hand, would be given to Senior Superintendent Leonilo dela Cruz.

Puno said that under Resolution No. 251 adopted by the Commission last July 9, the recommended list of PNP officers that require the review and approval of the Napolcom covers all provincial directors, district directors of the Manila Police District and the Quezon City Police District, police directors of highly urbanized cities and chiefs of police of independent component cities.

He also said the list of eligible police officers for designation as regional directors, chiefs of police of municipalities and component cities should be reviewed and confirmed by the Napolcom “prior to its transmittal to the city or municipal mayor.” 

Puno said that under Republic Act 8551, which is the law reforming and reorganizing the PNP, local chief executives, particularly governors and mayors, are automatically deputized as representatives of the Napolcom in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

“As deputized agents of the commission, local government executives have been granted powers and responsibilities in police administration, which include, among others, the authority to choose the chiefs of police and provincial directors,” he said.

Before the PNP transmits its list of recommended officers for assignment in a particular province or city to the local chief executive concerned, Puno said it should first ensure that the Napolcom has reviewed and approved the list to certify that only qualified police personnel are appointed to key positions.

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the PNP should reconsider its decision to designate Rosales as MPD officer-in-charge following Lim’s protest.

“Normally the chief of police is the preference of the local executive so as much as possible the PNP should defer to the desire or preference of the local government executive,” Ermita said.

The designation of MPD head is critical since Malacañang is under the police district’s jurisdiction.

The MPD has been functioning without a regular director following the retirement of Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong last year. Bulaong has since been appointed assistant director of the National Bureau of Investigation.

Rosales’ appointment to the MPD followed a meeting between President Arroyo and Lim in Tondo over the weekend. During the meeting, Mrs. Arroyo reportedly said she wants Rosales to head the MPD.  – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Paolo Romero