THE police advisory councils in the country have tremendous tasks ahead in forging strong partnership with the different stakeholders to “bring the police closer to the people.”
Speaking before the participants to the regional summit, Police Chief Superintendent Ramon Apolinario, deputy director general for operations, said the advisory council members have “the important role in providing a balanced outlook.”
Apolinario acknowledged the need to improve the image of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the light of recent events. He did not elaborate.
Some sectors critical to President Rodrigo Duterte’s take on war on drugs largely put the blame on the PNP for controversial implementations of the Oplan Double Barrel. "Tokhang," the shorthand for "Toktok-Hangyo" (knock and plead), is the face of the oplan.
The police bore the brunt of the negative public perception of the government’s war on drugs for alleged violation of human rights, especially the deaths of drug suspects under questionable circumstances. More than 8,000 suspected drug pushers and users were killed so far under the Duterte administration.
Apolinario, who was once the police chief of the Davao City Police Command when Duterte was the mayor of Davao City, told members of the advisory council that they are “the best asset of the PNP.”
The multi-level police advisory council, which was established from the national down to the municipal level, serve as an advisory body of the PNP in the implementation of PNP Patrol Plan 2030. It is composed of professionals, businessmen, media, religious, and youth.
Patrol stands for Peace and Order Agenda for Transformation and Upholding of the Rule of Law. It is part of the continuous transformation strategy for the PNP to achieve its goal to become capable, effective, and credible police office.
Apolinario urged the council members to “bring the police closer to the community.”
The advisory council has a strategic advisory role as the police implements its programs and activities. It members, together with the Technical Working Groups (TWGs), have the responsibility to evaluate and amend the strategies for the implementation of the PGS.
They shall also advise their corresponding units the necessary amendment to the current and development of future programs, projects, and activities.
Apolinario said the council members, with its critical role in the PNP, should be “inspired and emboldened on their roles to help in the transformation of the whole police organization.”
He said the council members are part of the PNP’s goal “to create our communities a better place to live in, to work and do business.”
The 1st Regional Advisory Council Summit was held March 15-16 in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. Around 500 members of the different advisory councils in Zamboanga Peninsula attended the summit. (With Elvie Villarido-Manaytay)