PNP News Releases 2005

AGLIPAY RALLIES HIS MEN, SAYS PNP REFORM WELL UNDERWAY

Reacting to an international anti-corruption watchdog group's findings that the police force is perceived by the public as the ‘most corrupt' institution in the country, PNP Chief, Director General Edgar B. Aglipay said today that reforms already in place under his watch would sufficiently address the problem of corruption in due time.

The PNP Chief was in San Fernando City Pampanga this morning for a regular readiness inspection of troops.

Aglipay pointed out that the reform program he had launched upon assuming office last August— C.A.R.E., an acronym for Courtesy, Action, Results and Example—had already achieved tangible results.

Among these, he said, is that scores of policemen considered rude, lazy, arrogant and undisciplined had already undergone retraining and values formation, while those engaged in outright criminal activity, such as extortion, faced severe disciplinary action, including dismissal from the service.

The misfits and scalawags in the police force are being weeded out, Aglipay said, adding that a few rotten eggs should not be allowed to taint the image of the entire police force.

Conceding that while there may be corruption in the police force, Aglipay said this had not been on a scale that would undermine its capability to deliver prompt and efficient police services when needed.

Administrative measures had been put in place to insure utmost transparency and accountability in all transactions in the PNP, especially those involving procurement of supplies and equipment, and disbursement of funds.

The overwhelming majority of the men and women of the PNP, he said, remained true to their calling as professional law enforcers despite the long working hours and extremely limited resources.

The PNP Chief said among the transparency measures that are now being in place is appointment of civilians to offices directly involved in procurement and financial transactions.

He said the Chief Accountants, Resident Auditors, and Suply Accountable Officers of PNP units are civilians, including the Inspector General of the Internal Affairs Service (IAS).

The PNP has earlier recommended that the IAS be reorganized as a totally independent body to insure utmost transparency in all activities of the Command.