Internal Affairs Service (IAS) Director Alfegar Triambulo
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is still grappling with allegations of drug recycling.
Its former chief, General Oscar Albayalde decided to relinquish his post after he was implicated in the scandal.
While the organization has an Internal Affairs Service (IAS), a unit tasked to investigate erring cops, its own group director revealed they can’t do their job effectively.
IAS Director Alfegar Triambulo said they are undermanned, lack the resources and treated as a skeletal force.
Triambulo said their unit is only comprised of 600 uniformed personnel. He adds that they do not have enough computers and only two vehicles were assigned to them for all their operations.
He added that for a long time they had been holding office at a warehouse in the PNP headquarters but that they recently transferred to a multi-purpose hall.
“P86 million ang 2018 budget pero iyan po ay 1/8 pa lang po sa requirement ng Internal Affairs Service. Ang Internal Affairs Service ay nag-exist ng almost 19 years nang walang kagamitan sapagkat walang ibinibigay na budget ho,” Triambulo said.
Their offices in the provinces have it worse according to Triambulo. He said the lack of personnel is more pronounced particularly in the ARMM and CARAGA region.
“Wala kaming sasakyan, walang motor …meron kaming opisina, 14 ang tao, isa lang ang computer.” Triambulo said.
The IAS was created in pursuant to the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act. Its role is to act as an independent watchdog of the police force but it doesn’t have enough powers to discipline police personnel or decide on cases involving erring cops.
“Yung mga Regional Commander, Regional Director ng PNP, hindi namin maimbestigahan kasi kung imbestigahan, sila rin ang magdesisyon,” Triambulo said.
To properly do their job, Triambulo wanted the Internal Affairs to split from the office of the PNP chief and to be given disciplinary and adjudicatory powers.
Volunteers against Crime and Corruption (VACC) have described the internal affairs as a tiger without fangs.
Meanwhile, the PNP has implemented a wide ranging reshuffling of its major commands Sunday. Some of those hit by the reshuffle include the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, the Highway Patrol Group, and at least five police regional offices.
PNP Officer-In-Charge Archie Gamboa earlier sought and secured approval from the National Police Commission to implement a revamp following Duterte’s directive last week.
As OIC, Gamboa has limited powers over personnel movement but the NAPOLCOM had empowered him to make the changes.
The reshuffle comes after President Duterte expressed disappointment with the PNP at last week’s command conference.
The president has yet to name a new PNP chief after Albayalde relinquished his post last week. (Jasper Camilo)