Duterte mulls return of cops’ training to PNP

MANILA, Philippines — Fed up by the presence of rogues in the police force, President Duterte is planning to return to the Philippine National Police (PNP) the duty of educating and training police recruits.

Duterte bared his plan during the 120th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Navy on Tuesday.

If the plan pushes through, the debate between police officials and retired generals occupying the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) will be put to an end.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde welcomed Duterte’s plan, saying the PNP has been pushing for the return of the training to them.

Although he admitted that adjustments have to be made, Albayalde said the PNP is ready for the transfer of the recruits’ training to the PNP.

“Nothing good came out since we transferred it to the Philippine Public Safety College, with due respect to General (Ricardo) de Leon who was assigned in Davao City before,” Duterte said.

A retired general, De Leon is president of the PPSC, which oversees the training of entry-level policemen from police officer 1 to senior police officer 4. 

De Leon has been opposing the transfer of police training to the PNP. 

“He  is very competent, but the system is not working,” Duterte said, referring to De Leon. “And we’re producing, to my mind, some lousy men getting into the service under questionable circumstances.”

The PPSC has administrative authority over the PNP Academy, whose graduates enter the police force with the rank of senior inspector.

PNP officials said the recruitment and training should be placed under the PNP to instill proper disciplinary measures among the recruits.

The issue has reached Congress, which prompted the Senate committee on public order and illegal drugs to inquire on the concerns of the police force.

Duterte said some criminals including drug dealers managed to enter the police service.

“Nagkulang tayo doon sa (we fell short on) background check and even the matter of the protocol of joining the police. Marami diyan mga salbahe na (There are many bad cops) who are really criminals, but who maneuvered somehow to get into the service,” he said.