PNP expands unit going after erring cops

June 14, 2019

The Philippine National Police ( PNP) on Friday formally activated the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) which will replace the two-year old Counter-Intelligence Task Force (CITF) as the primary unit for information gathering and conduct of offensive operations against erring policemen.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano, guest of honor in the event, said they upgraded CITF to have more resources, more people and more authority to do their job.

"We are cleansing the ranks of the policemen and by cleansing, we know that they are connected in syndicated crimes and also in line with the program of the president (Rodrigo Duterte) to fight drugs and syndicated crimes so the IMEG will be a crucial part in the campaign," said Ano.

For his part, Philippine National Police General Oscar Albayalde said Police Colonel Romeo Caramat Jr, head of the defunct CITF, will lead the IMEG along with Police Lt. Colonel Ariel Red as deputy group commander for administration.

Asked if there is a possible promotion, Albayalde said Caramat may be promoted to police brigadier general as the IMEG is considered as a national operating support unit.

"There is a big chance he will be promoted but of course it will undergo a process. We endorsed him to Napolcom (National Police Commission) and the Napolcom will have to approve it but in principle even the SILG ( Secretary of Interior and Local Government) approved (his promotion). We just have to endorse it," said Albayalde.

The newly-activated group will have 306 uniformed personnel, 55 police commissioned officers and 251 police non-commissioned officers.

Albayalde said a 72-man company from the PNP Special Action Force will continue to provide tactical support to the newly-established unit.

"This will institutionalize our internal cleansing in the PNP. It will not only involve erring PNP personnel but also those involve in graft and corrupt practices, if there is any," he said.

"We reiterate that police personnel will be assigned or detailed at the IMEG should pass the rigorous background investigation and screening process including neuropsychiatric examination and graduates of Intelligence Course or seminar," he said.

Albayalde said there will be a reshuffle of officers in the coming months.

"There will be officers set to retire. This June until September. On September, there will be a lot of senior officer retiring with a rank of major general," he said.

The PNP chief said they will not let up in their campaign against illegal drugs.

"It will be as relentless as the first day that we launched our campaign against illegal drugs. Our campaign in illegal drugs will not change and as I said, we activate IMEG just to ensure there will no abusive cops. Not only those who abuse power but also involve in corruption," he said.

"As what I have promised when I assumed my post that the centerpiece of my administration is to install organizational discipline and internal reform. Our internal cleansing program will not spare anyone," said Albayalde. Ella Dionisio/DMS