Overhaul

I totally agree that the Philippine National Police be overhauled from top to bottom, in the wake of what is probably the most damaging incident to stain the already beleaguered image of the said institution. The current count is that at least ten active duty and one dismissed policemen were involved in what is now known as the EDSA "hulidap". At least two are in police custody and have already been charged, while the rest are still at large. Some are allegedly sending surrender feelers, which I never really understood . Why not just surrender, period? Why the "feelers"? Are they in danger? Shouldn't the victims be the ones showing apprehension and fear, since the perpetrators are active policemen?

The most glaring question is why are two of the ten police suspects still in active duty when they are still facing administrative cases of the same nature? This I totally do not understand. When a civilian is accused, especially for serious, non-bailable crimes, they are detained. While a policeman continues to report for work, draws a salary and whatever he can do as an officer of the law. Ordinary citizens are alarmed at the involvement of police in criminality, because how can you safely accuse them in the first place? Hence a review of the procedure regarding the investigation and consequent punishment for policemen involved in crime must be done right away. This is definitely not the first time this has happened. Most of the erring policemen are simply transferred to other places but obviously, their evil characters are intact. This is not even mentioning that administrative cases take too long to be decided on. Is this the way the PNP protects its own? By burying cases under a ton of red tape and technicalities?

Lifestyle checks on all policemen must also be done, to see if there are those living beyond their obvious means. I have heard of police officers living in posh subdivisions. How did this happen, when college graduates of top universities cannot even afford them? Aside from where they live, what do they own? Do they have other property, vehicles, jewelry that belie their known income? Do they travel frequently? What are their vices? Women, gambling? Both need a considerable amount of money to sustain. Where is it coming from?

Rogue policemen are not the norm but the very exceptions within the PNP. I'll accept that. But stats do not mean anything when you become a victim.

It is definitely time to purge the ranks of the PNP of criminals. Call them what they are, not scalawags, but criminals. Criminals of the worst kind, as they utilize the resources given them by the country to become so. If the PNP is to recover from this brazen display of criminality, they have to start with severely punishing those involved.