Nartatez orders review of protocol on holding cops under restrictive custody after CIDG stabbing
Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (File photo: PNP)
Police commanders were ordered to review the existing protocol in placing policemen under restrictive custody following the stabbing incident involving two personnel assigned to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., acting chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said part of the review is the aspect of response to observations of change of behavior of any personnel under restrictive custody.
This, after the police sergeant tagged in stabbing fellow cop was observed to be having a change in behavior before the incident that occurred at the CIDG office at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Tuesday morning, Jan. 13.
“I have already directed all units and offices to conduct a review of the existing protocol to prevent the repeat of this unfortunate incident. Let this case serve as an urgent call to adjust and improve some policies that are sometimes overlooked,” said Nartatez.
“Just because something is working does not mean that everything will always be alright. There is always room for improvement,” he added.
Based on the initial investigation, the stabbing that happened inside the CIDG office at Camp Crame in Quezon City involved two police officers under restrictive custody over alleged theft of cash evidence seized in a POGO raid in Bataan in 2024.
The two, along with other personnel, were preparing for the scheduled Preliminary Investigation in the Department of Justice when the stabbing occurred using a kitchen knife.
Nartatez said personnel facing serious offenses experience intense pressure and this is something that should also be looked into when placing PNP personnel under restrictive custody for a long time.
The wounded policeman is under observation at the PNP General Hospital while the suspect is expected to be subjected to necessary assessments.
Nartatez said he expects all unit commanders and heads of police offices to do the same review.
Earlier, Nartatez ordered all PNP commanders to properly supervise their men to monitor and respond to their concerns and quickly act even on minor cases of misconduct.