This has reference to “Blame it on Napolcom” written by Ramon Tulfo in his column On Target (Metro, 6/29/17), where he alleged that:
“The National Police Commission (Napolcom) which directly oversees the PNP is notorious for reinstating dismissed policemen. Many policemen who have been kicked out for various offenses by PNP administrative bodies were able to return to active duty because of Napolcom …. If there are many corrupt and abusive policemen still with the force, blame it on Napolcom. The police body is as corrupt as or even more corrupt than the agency it oversees: the PNP.”
We in the Napolcom consider the media as a partner in public service and we respect and regard opinion and commentary as valuable information that would help us improve and become more effective in carrying out our mandate
as a public office.
In the spirit of fairness, allow us to clarify certain matters relevant to Tulfo’s accusations. Police officers who were charged before the different administrative disciplinary authorities and were penalized with suspension, demotion
in rank or dismissal from the service have the right to file an appeal with the Napolcom appellate boards.
We would like to emphasize, however, that the Napolcom strictly follows all the pertinent laws, issuances and rules of procedures in the disposition of appealed cases of the uniformed members of the Philippine National Police to
ensure that they are given due process of law. Moreover, it is noteworthy to mention that the Napolcom is not the only reinstating body for dismissed PNP members. Under existing procedural regulations, the Office of the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, the Civil Service Commission, the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court can order the reinstatement of police officers ordered dismissed by lower disciplinary authorities.
As we consistently declared in the past, the Commission will never tolerate any official or employee who commits any wrongdoing that would taint the image of the Napolcom. We therefore call on Tulfo to provide us with
the names of the corrupt police officers who were allegedly reinstated by the Napolcom so that we can take appropriate action and impose corresponding sanction on the persons involved, if any.
Rest assured of the Napolcom’s steadfast commitment of providing transparent public service.
ROGELIO T. CASURAO, commissioner, vice chair and executive officer, National Police Commission