EDITORIAL - Six-month suspension

For the next six months, the Philippine National Police will have to operate without its chief and several other top officials. In a precedent-setting order, the Office of the Ombudsman suspended Director General Alan Purisima and 17 other PNP officials in connection with a gun license delivery service deal and missing rifles.

The cases are just the latest scandals in the PNP, whose first chief was also indicted for corruption. Another former PNP chief, Avelino Razon, is still held without bail at Camp Crame in connection with alleged ghost vehicle repairs worth P400 million in 2007. Other top police officials have been dismissed from the service over the purchase of second-hand helicopters at brand-new prices.

Purisima, the first PNP chief to be suspended, is also fending off accusations of unexplained wealth and graft for accepting large donations to renovate his official residence at Camp Crame. The PNP chief, who is attending a conference overseas, and his subordinates have denied wrongdoing.

The charges against President Aquino’s favorite cop have caused public dismay. Some administration officials, on the other hand, stress that stricter enforcement of laws against graft has led to more indictments.

Criminal prosecution is likely to follow the suspension. Several of the suspended officials may yet prove their innocence in court. In the meantime, their case should serve as a warning to the PNP about the urgency of cleaning up its ranks. In the helicopter deal, some of the accused claimed that their role was largely ministerial and they were not aware that they might be violating any law. Like legal professionals, however, cops must be aware that ignorance of the law is no excuse to break it.

As law enforcers, cops must be well versed not only on criminal law but also on government procurement rules as well as anti-graft laws and the code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials. After knowing their law, cops must lead in obeying it.