MPD cops slam new promotion policy

Chief inspectors (equivalent to major in the military) from the Manila Police District criticized the new promotion policy of the Philippine National Police (PNP), calling it “capricious.”

Several chief inspectors due for promotion expressed disgust and demoralization after they were told that they will only be promoted to the next rank (superintendent) if they are occupying positions in the table of organization (TO). And in order to occupy TO positions, which are already filled up at the MPD, they have to be reassigned to the provinces.

The STAR learned that there are 48 chief inspectors at the MPD, half of whom are due for promotion. But with the new promotion policy, these officers might opt to retain their rank rather than be reassigned to the provinces.

Chief inspectors who rose from the ranks lamented the new policy as outright denial of their promotion.

The affected majors said they are victims of the “capricious” policy since the PNP used to observe only four qualification criteria for senior officers’ promotion: eligibility, time and grade, schooling and training.

MPD personnel chief, Superintendent Felipe Cazon Jr., said Metro Manila police districts are already full of senior officials, compelling the PNP to distribute them to the provinces. He specifically cited a police station in Basilan, which is headed only by a lawman with the rank of Police Officer 1.

He said that as part of the transformation program of the PNP, police officials will be evenly distributed to all parts of the country. The MPD has recently downloaded 13 police colonels to the provinces.   – Nestor Etolle