Press Release
October 27, 2016

POE: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO INTERNAL AFFAIRS PROBE?

Senator Grace Poe today asked the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to relentlessly pursue the investigations of policemen linked to illegal activities in a drive that would cleanse the police force.

Poe, in seeking for an update on the probe of policemen, said appropriate charges should be filed against scalawags in the police service.

"We must ensure that we have a highly efficient and competent police force with the primary duty to protect the people. Rogue policemen have no place in the PNP in that full public trust to the police must be upheld," said Poe, who earlier emphasized the necessity of appointing a civilian IAS Head.

The PNP has so far conducted 1,261 investigations on deaths during the government's anti-narcotics operations that led to the killing of drug suspects. Of this number, 547 policemen have been charged with administrative complaints, 356 investigations are still pending, 27 policemen have so far been terminated, 302 cases dropped and closed, 28 submitted for summary hearing proceedings, and one submitted to disciplinary authorities following the resolution of the case by IAS.

As for the more than 159,000 policemen tested for illegal drugs, 164 tested positive for illegal drug use.

Chief Supt. Leo Angelo Leuterio, head of IAS, said last month they cannot provide a timeline on when such cases against policemen will be resolved. However, Interior Sec. Ismael Sueño on Tuesday urged speedy investigation to rid the agency of scalawags and address irregularities within the force.

Under Section 39 of Republic Act 8551 or the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998, the IAS shall conduct, motu proprio, automatic investigation of incidents where death, serious physical injury or any violation of human rights occurred in the conduct of a police operation.

PNP chief Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa earlier said he was open to the suggestion of Poe to appoint a civilian head of IAS, as mandated by law.

Poe had filed Senate Bill No. 868 or the proposed PNP-IAS Reform Act that seeks to form an independent institutional watchdog for the police service and Senate Resolution No. 70 to look into the continued non-implementation of RA 8551 as regards the PNP-IAS.

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