By Aaron Recuenco
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is opposing the move to have the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) separated from the police organization.
PNP spokesman P/Col. Bernard Banac
(PNP / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said the police organization needs the IAS since it helps the sitting PNP Chief in imposing disciplinary measures against erring cops.
"We don't think IAS should be separated to the PNP because we need them as our watchdog," said Banac.
The IAS is tasked to conduct investigation on all the complaints or abuses against policemen.
But the agency’s power to punish erring cops is merely recommendatory. The Chief PNP and the regional directors could still reverse its recommendation.
This was the reason why IAS wanted to be separated from the PNP, stating that it wanted to have more teeth in ensuring discipline among policemen.
Recently, the Manila Bulletin reported that 70 percent of the recommendations for punishment of errant cops made by IAS was not implemented from 2015 to 2017.
IAS wants to be independent in order to ensure that all its recommendations are properly implemented.
Banac, however, said that he saw nothing wrong with the current set up wherein the IAS is under the PNP.
“The IAS is supposed to recommend and the chief PNP will be the one to decide and make the decision, in that way we don’t see any interference,” he said.