PNP to tackle policy directions for 2020

January 6, 2020

The Philippine National Police ( PNP) is set to discuss their strategic policy directions this year.


In a press briefing Monday, Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa, PNP’s officer-in-charge, said he will convene a command conference among members of the Command Group, Directorial Staff, Regional Directors and Directors of National Support Units on Tuesday.


“This will set into motion the flagship campaigns of the PNP against crime, illegal drugs, terrorism and corruption for the next 12 months and beyond,” he said.


“Foremost among these is the intensification of intelligence-driven anti-illegal drugs campaign particularly against upper and middle-level high value targets engaged in trafficking of commercial quantity of illegal drugs 50 grams or more,” he added.


Gamboa said he asked all regional offices to submit a list of their top 10 high value targets for them to determine their priorities.


"Initially I asked them to submit their Top 10 but it can go to at least to Top 20 or even more," he said.


"The reason I asked them to submit their Top 10 (list) so we're able to determine in terms of priority because we want to identify and neutralize them first. Neutralize means apply a search warrant (against them) or be arrested in a buy bust,” he added.


Based on PNP data,  proliferation of illegal drugs is still high in Western Visayas (Region 6), Central Visayas region (Region 7), Zamboanga region (Region 9), and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).


“There are possible sources coming from Mindanao… so we are looking at Region 9, BARMM, Region 7 and Region 6,” Gamboa said.


He said the reason is the poor living condition in these regions.


Aside from illegal drugs, they will also focus on their campaign against rogue cops and implementing discipline among their police officers.


“Of equal priority in the operational thrusts for 2020 is the campaign against the few rogues in uniform who continue to resist change and reform. Similar intelligence-driven operations will address issues of involvement of PNP personnel in criminal activity, graft and corrupt practices-- with equal attention to the culpability of immediate superior officers who will fail to take action and supervise their men,” he said.


Gamboa disclosed Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano told him to “make each policemen worth and let every policemen be convince that he is actually a messenger of what the PNP should be”.


“So it includes good attitude, basic good manners and right conduct, proper attire and compliance to body mass index (BMI) which we are implementing,” he said.


The PNP OIC said he will sign a document that will deny any police officer from attending schooling if they did not comply with the required BMI.


“It will be hard for them since there isschooling that is required for certain position and there are schooling that is required for certain promotions. So if you are deprive that at least one semester and if you did not comply for a year, it will have a huge effect on your career. This will all go through the ranks from patrolman up to generals,” he said.


“All policemen should be conscious about their weight. This is not all about the PNP’s image but this is more on individual responsibility,” he said.


Gamboa also mentioned about their modernization and procurement program.


“PNP modernization and procurement of more mission-essential equipment for mobility, firepower, communication and investigation will be the hallmark of PNP administrative thrusts for the year with greater emphasis on PNP best practices in transparency and public accountability in all procurement transactions,” he said.


“Year 2020 will see the PNP literally soaring to greater heights with a fleet of ten rotary-wing aircraft that will provide tactical support to ground operations of PNP Units,” he added.


He said at present they have seven operational helicopters in service with the PNP-Special Action Force Air Unit while three more helicopters are due for delivery and acceptance before midyear of this year, including three H-125 helicopters.


“The almost 100 percent absorptive capacity of the PNP in terms of utilizing government appropriations for capital outlay will remain to be the standard,” he said. Ella Dionisio/DMS