SPECIAL police offices will be officially recognized under a proposed Philippine National Police Reorganization Plan which has already been approved by the House Committee on Public Order and Safety, the Journal Group learned.

Under the proposal, a new Section 25-C will be inserted in Republic Act No. 6975 otherwise known as the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1998.

It say that the PNP shall be supported by Special Police Offices which shall continue to perform their specific functions. To enhance police operational efficiency and effectiveness, the Chief of the PNP may constitute, modify or merge Special Police Offices as may be necessary subject to the approval of the National Police Commission.

Provided that no Special Police Office headed by a Police Brigadier General or higher can be created unless provided for by law.

As proposed, there will be the Center for Police Strategy Management headed by a Police Brigadier General which shall serve as the central facility of the organization in coordinating and integrating all strategy management processes, sustaining its strategy execution and management and instilling in the organization a culture of strategic focus.

A Human Rights Affairs Office headed by a Police Brigadier General shall serve as a management facility that will oversee the implementation of PNP guidelines and policies on human rights law.

A Peace Process and Development Center headed by a Police Brigadier General which shall be the office primarily responsible in the monitoring of the development and implementation of peace agreements and pertinent laws.

A PNP Command Center headed by a Police Brigadier General which shall be the main monitoring facility of the PNP of all events affecting the peace and order situation nationwide. It shall serve as the main coordinating center for all operating and support units in pursuance of PNP law enforcement, internal security, special operations and records/statistics compilation.

A PNP Public Information Office headed by a Police Brigadier General. The office shall supervise, evaluate and monitor the provision of relevant information on ongoing PNP programs, projects and activities to enhance the understanding of the general public and ultimately gain community support and active participation.

A PNP Liaison Office for the Office of the President to be headed by a Police Brigadier General. The office shall serve as an extension of the Office of the Chief of the PNP to assist the President and the Executive Secretary on the different aspects of law enforcement and act as the main focal point of coordination between the PNP and The Office of the President.

A PNP Liaison Office for the Department of the Interior and Local Government to be headed by a Police Brigadier General. The official shall assist the DILG Secretary in his capacity as the Ex-Officio Chairperson of the National Police Commission.

A PNP Legislative Affairs Center headed by a Police Brigadier General. The Center shall act as the permanent PNP representative during congressional hearings and deliberations as well as undertake necessary actions to pursue the passage of PNP Priority Bills and related bills in the 14th Congress of the Philippines.

The House Committee on Public Order and Safety chaired by Laguna (1st District) Representative Dan S. Fernandez has approved the proposed reorganization plan of the police force, according to PNP Director for Plans, Major Gen. Bernard M. Banac.

Maj. Gen. Banac said the House Committee on Public Order and Safety has adopted the report and draft bill prepared by Technical Working Group chairman, retired Police General-turned Antipolo City (2nd District) Rep. Romeo M. Acop.

“It will be presented during the plenary sessions of the House of Representatives. Hopefully, it will be categorized as Priority Bills and certified as urgent by both Houses,” said the official who has been widely commended by PNP chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. for his ‘miracle work’ in Congress.

Maj. Gen. Banac said they have received the full support of House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Senate President, Senator Jose Miguel ‘Migz’ F. Zubiri in their bid to further reform the 227,000-strong police force and improve its ‘move, shoot, communicate and investigate’ capabilities under the administration of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr.

The proposed PNP Reorganization Plan calls for the adaptation of the current structure of the Philippine National Police (PNP) including the pay and allowances of PNP personnel, amending for the purpose Sections 25,26,29,30,31,35, 36 and 67 of Republic Act No. 6975 otherwise known as the ‘Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990,’ as amended and Section 32 or RA No. 8551 otherwise known as the Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998 and appropriating funds therefor.

A former PNP spokesperson who became a PNP Training Service director and later head of the Police Regional Office 8 in Eastern Visayas, Maj. Gen. Banac said Senate President Zubiri had informed them that the proposed bill will be studied and reviewed by a Senate committee chaired by former PNP chief-turned Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ M. dela Rosa.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon