Solon cites need to boost PNP chief’s disciplinary powers

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa (File Photo: Senate of the Philippine/Facebook)

MANILA — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Thursday floated the need to revisit Republic Act No. 8551 or the “Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998,” saying some of its provisions especially those pertaining to the disciplinary powers of the PNP chief are urgently needed.

“We have to strengthen the power, especially the disciplinary mechanism of the PNP. The police chief needs to be equipped with the ability to enforce discipline and proper sanctions to the police officials,” said the senator, a former PNP chief.

Dela Rosa compared the functions of the PNP chief and its military counterpart, saying in certain situations the head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) may put behind bars an officer who is proven guilty.

“Sa PNP, hindi mo pwede ikulong hangga’t walang kaso (In the PNP, you cannot put them to prison until there are no charges),” he said.

The PNP faced intrigues anew following the shooting incident in Paniqui, Tarlac on Dec. 20 that involved off-duty Police Master Sgt. Jonel Nuezca who gunned down two civilians.

“In the case of Nuezca, where it was shown in the video that it the victims were shot in cold-blood. The PNP Chief should have been able to give out an order to dismiss him (summary dismissal),” dela Rosa said in Filipino.

According to the National Police Commission, the summary dismissal in the PNP takes 30 days for them to afford suspect due process.

PNP chief Debold Sinas, who personally attended the wake of the victims, guaranteed that the process to dismiss Nuezca is underway.