Robredo wants PNP insulated from politics

MANILA, Philippines –  Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo said he would exert effort to insulate the police from politics, particularly in the appointment of police chiefs.

Robredo admitted that the designation of police chiefs in cities and towns is prone to political influence since under Republic Act 8551 or the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act, mayors have the final decision on who will be appointed as chiefs of police.

“My job is to insulate the PNP (Philippine National Police) from politics,” he said in an earlier interview.

Robredo said he had heard that in the past, some local government officials sought the intervention of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to influence appointments.

“I think President Aquino will not insist (on the appointment) if the police officer is not qualified. We have the so-called zone of considerations, meaning a police officer should have the minimum requirements before he could be appointed,” Robredo said. “I will assure you, we will not appoint police officials who are not within the zone of considerations.”

The Local Government Code provides that the PNP will submit to the mayor the names of three candidates, from which the local government executive will pick and appoint the chief of police.

Robredo said the DILG, the PNP and the National Police Commission (Napolcom) will not oppose the choice of any mayor for their chief of police provided the police official is qualified.