POLICE Regional Office 8 (PRO 8) Director Brigadier General Bernard M. Banac on Thursday underscored the importance of the National Police Clearance (NPC) system in accounting for wanted persons nationwide.

He issued the statement following the arrest of a 32-year-old pedicab driver from Palompon, Leyte, who turned out to be the subject of a warrant of arrest for frustrated homicide when he applied for an NPC at the Palompon Municipal Police Station (MPS) in Bgy. Central 2 on Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Banac said that while officers were processing the clearance application of the suspect from Bgy. Cantuhaon, they discovered that he is the subject of a warrant issued by Judge Eprhem Abasdo of the Hilongos, Leyte Regional Trial Court Branch 18 on March 18, 2015, with a P60,000 recommended bail.

The official said that the “red-flagged” clearance applicant was immediately told of his pending arrest warrant and handcuffed. He was then taken to the local lock-up facility for documentation before presenting to the court.

The PNP-NPC system enables police personnel to check the criminal or derogatory records of any person who may seek the “clearance” needed when applying for a job or seeking gun licenses and other permits.

It has been described as a comprehensive, fast, convenient, and reliable system since it was implemented a few years ago.

Brig. Gen. Banac commended the quick action of members of the Palompon MPS in arresting the wanted suspect.

“With our National Police Clearance system, tracking down wanted personalities nationwide was made a lot easier. It is a vital tool in the campaign against most wanted persons,” said the Eastern Visayas Police director, who has ordered all his field commanders to “step up” further their effort to account for most wanted personalities in their areas.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon