‘Ninja cops’ mess highlights need for independent IAS

In a press briefing, Nograles said an independent IAS is needed now more than ever due to the diminished integrity of the existing IAS amid allegations of a cover-up by top police officials on the wrongdoings of their subordinates. (File Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

MANILA — Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Party-list Rep. Jericho Nograles said on Tuesday the issue on the so-called “ninja cops” only highlighted the need for Congress to expedite the approval of proposals seeking to separate the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) from the Philippine National Police (PNP) chain-of-command.

In a press briefing, Nograles said an independent IAS is needed now more than ever due to the diminished integrity of the existing IAS amid allegations of a cover-up by top police officials on the wrongdoings of their subordinates.

He noted that under the current structure, the IAS – which is an essential part of the disciplinary mechanism of the PNP – reports directly to the PNP chief.

“It means that the IAS, based on their findings, can only recommend an action to the PNP chief. There is a flaw in the procedure because the IAS is only a recommendatory body, they have no prosecutorial powers,” Nograles said.

“As the office that oversees the conduct of the uniformed personnel, the IAS should be free from influence, pressure, and intervention from the chief PNP, and other high-ranking PNP officers in adjudicating administrative cases,” he said.

The lawmaker said if the IAS becomes independent, the recommendations of the agency will be given more importance.

“I also want to give them prosecutorial powers para sila na mismo ang totoong magpu-pulis sa mga pulis (so that the IAS itself will truly police the police),” Nograles said.

The lawmaker, who serves as chair of the Regional Advisory Council of Region 11 (Davao Region), pointed out that the IAS is dependent on the PNP for its budgetary requirements.

He said only in Camp Crame and Region 11 that the IAS has its own building and its personnel nationwide lack necessary equipment like computers and laptops, among others.

“This is because the agency is dependent on the overall budgeting of the PNP. How could you ask for independence kung ang IAS ay kailangang mamulitika (when the IAS needs to play politics) generally within the PNP?” Nograles said.

Under House Bill 3065, Nograles proposes that the IAS be removed from the supervision and control of the PNP chief, and transfer the agency under the direct supervision of the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government.

Apart from investigating and adjudicating administrative wrongdoings of PNP personnel, the proposed measure also seeks to empower the IAS to have recommendatory powers in the selection and promotion of PNP personnel, including the PNP chief.

The IAS could also provide assistance to the Office of the Ombudsman and other PNP Disciplinary Offices in cases involving PNP personnel.

It can also recommend the admission to the witness protection program of the Department of Justice of witnesses who are vital to the prosecution of PNP personnel involved in criminal cases.