PMA, ROTC grads assail Napolcom move

Fellow graduates of Chief Superintendent Reynaldo Berroya in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and another police organization assailed yesterday the one-year extension, which the National Police Commission (Napolcom) has granted to him.

In a resolution, the Police Cavaliers Association Inc. (PCAI) urged the Napolcom to reconsider the practice of extending the services of retiring police officers, saying it runs counter to the declared policy of President Arroyo to have a "highly efficient and competent police force."

The PCAI, composed of PMA graduates, added that the practice is also inimical to the vision of shaping the PNP organization as a "very credible organization with the highest degree of professionalism."

PCAI intend to send copies of their resolution to President Arroyo and PNP chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr.

Another organization, the Police "ROTC Graduates" for Integrity, Morality and Order (PRIMO) Inc., also viewed with "deep concern the demoralizing effect" of Berroya’s extension to the PNP.

PRIMO said the Napolcom move "implies that professionalism is not working in the organization" and that the PNP officer corps "is empty of talent and leadership that could replace Berroya."

Berroya, head of the PNP Civil Security Group, was set to retire last March 11 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Actually, Berroya was asking for an extension of four and a half years apparently to recoup the years he spent in jail. He was charged and eventually cleared of kidnapping Taiwanese businessman Jack Chou.

A number of junior police officers, however, told The STAR that Berroya’s term should not have been extended, alleging that he has nothing to show during the last few years of his police service, except being a staunch critic of former PNP chief and now Sen. Panfilo Lacson.

They recalled that Berroya, along with six other senior PNP officers, were relieved in June last year by Interior and Local Government Secretary Joey Lina for being remiss on their duties against jueteng.

The junior police officers said they were surprised why Lina, who chairs the Napolcom, did not lift a finger to block Berroya’s extension.

In extending Berroya’s term, the Napolcom cited Section 39 of Republic Act No. 6975 on compulsory retirement.

The PCAI acknowledged this law, but argued that extending police service beyond the mandatory retirement age is widely seen as a practice resorted to for political accommodation and not for highly meritorious reasons.

The STAR tried to get Berroya’s comments on the sentiments of PCAI and PRIMO but failed.