CEBU, Philippines — The Internal Affairs Service (IAS) Desks established in the barangays in Cebu City are not only meant to accommodate reports on police misdemeanors, but also for suggestions for law enforcement and feedback on good deeds of police.
This was stressed by the Cebu City Police Office in hopes to have more people understand that the IAS desk, which was launched last August 2023, was established for the people’s convenience.
“Ang purpose ani (IAS desks) kay avenue sa katawhan nga dili na sila kailangan moadto sa police station (to file a complaint),” said CCPO IAS head Police Lt. Pamela Recla Garcia via CCPO’s “Isumbong Mo Kay CD, Bantay Mo” teleradyo program over the city government’s Sugbuanon channel.
Each IAS Desk has a focal person, which is either the barangay secretary or someone the barangay captain appoints.
The focal person’s role accordingly is to accept complaints from constituents who encounter a misbehaving police officer in their barangay and transmit the report to the CCPO IAS for verification.
Further, people may also go to IAS desks to accept reports of praise for good behavior of police, as well as suggestions for their local law enforcement.
“Dili lang bati nga binuhatan ang pwede i-report. Bisan iyang maayong binuhatan among i-cater pud,” Garcia said.
The IAS itself was created under the Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998.
It is primarily tasked to conduct automatic investigation of several cases or incidents, like when a police officer discharges a firearm; is involved in any case of death and serious physical injury.
IAS is also responsible in dealing with police who allegedly have violated human rights during police operation; complaints on evidence getting compromised, tampered with, obliterated, or lost while in the custody of police personnel; a suspect in police custody is seriously injured; and established rules of engagement have been violated. — /ATO (FREEMAN)