EDITORIAL - No firepower

Several times in the past there have been reports that members of the Philippine National Police lack service firearms. The problem persists, as PNP officials disclosed the other day. Of 125,000 PNP members, only 51,242 have handguns.

Previous reports disclosed that those who do have handguns are issued meager ammunition. If cops want to practice marksmanship, they have to buy their own bullets. Little wonder then that in several hostage situations, victims have been killed along with the suspects in botched rescue attempts. And little wonder then that there are PNP members who prefer to shoot suspects at close range, sometimes with the suspects’ hands tied behind their backs.

The PNP at least has given priority to the issuance of firearms to police units in high-risk areas, such as those that are likely targets of raids by communist rebels or Islamic separatists. The lack of handguns is not the only problem bedeviling an organization where a large number of the members lack decent housing and live below the poverty line. PNP officials also reported that a number of the 1,741 buildings housing police stations nationwide are in a state of disrepair.

The low pay compounded by the lack of decent working facilities and the most basic equipment needed for efficient law enforcement can quickly disillusion the most idealistic PNP rookie. That lack has made police officers in certain areas accept or actively solicit donations even from questionable sources such as notorious jueteng lords and smugglers. And while there is no excuse for criminality, poor pay has also encouraged certain cops to turn to extortion and even organized crime such as kidnapping and bank robbery. The poor pay has also enabled political kingpins to recruit cops to serve as members of private armies. These armies are used to harass political enemies or engage in poll fraud during election campaigns.

If the nation wants dramatic reforms in the PNP, more investments will have to be made in creating a better police force. A police organization that lacks even handguns does not stand a chance against sophisticated enemies with high-powered firearms. When it comes to law enforcement, you get what you pay for.