PNP launches new internal cleaning program

July 9, 2019

The Philippine National Police ( PNP) on Tuesday launched a new military-style internal cleansing program that will be more "intimate" and "personal".

"In line with this, a revitalized Internal Cleansing Program was launched today through the PNP Directorate for Operations with emphasis on values formation and spiritual development and strengthening of families of our PNP personnel," said Police General Oscar Albayalde, the PNP chief, in a press briefing. 

Albayalde said their new program will take a restorative approach where they will copy the military's "squad concept".

"We have squad leader that will teach you and guide you same as the military. Squad leader will be the one who will lead. We have stakeholders, we have non-government organizations, here especially from the religious sector that will guide our police," said Albayalde.

He said the squad will be composed of six to eight members.

"But we can't handle (everyone) so we are focused on those who have derogatory offenses. Since 2016, we have filed cases to almost 13,000. So to those that can be restored, they will undergo this squad concept," he said.

Based on PNP records, out of the 7,982 police personnel with resolved administrative cases, 5,582 will undergo the program.

The 2,400 dismissed personnel will not be included in the program.

"This is one way of changing the attitude (of police officers). That's why I said this is more intimate, more personal. This is one way of changing our policemen. Spiritual is included here, also the values formation, even family is included in the squad concept," the PNP chief explained.

He clarified that their value reformation program is different from this new program.

" ( This is) Continuous training whether you have an offense or not because this is one way of enhancing the values, spiritual of our personnel," said Albayalde.

He said the pilot run of the project will done in the National Capital Region Police Office where around 25,000 erring cops were recorded.

Albayalde said squad leaders will be the first ones to have an orientation.

Based on PNP record from July 2016 to June 20, 2019, a total of 2,400 police officers with various administrative cases were dismissed, 481 demoted, 4,161 suspended, 195 meted with forfeiture of salaries, 619 reprimanded, and 41 placed under restrictive custody. 

Also, a total of 422 police officers were dismissed after found involved in drug related cases. Out of the 422, 403 were police non-commissioned officers, 10 police commissioned officer and 9 non-uniformed personnel.

The creation of a squad concept is to trim down supervision and for the PNP to easily pinpoint responsibility. 

"The PNP has grown so large... It's really a question on supervision. T00hat's why we are creating the squad concept to give more responsibility and accountability down to the lower units..because the control seems loose because of the growing numbers," said Police Lieutenant General Archie Gamboa, PNP Deputy Chief for Operations.

Albayalde said the internal cleansing committee he created will oversee the whole program. Ella Dionisio/DMS