MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. supported the plan of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to implement rightsizing of personnel to maximize police force and enhance police visibility nationwide.
In a second sectoral meeting with the PNP on Tuesday, President Marcos said rightsizing of PNP personnel will help avoid redundant duties and responsibilities within the police force and further enhance programs and projects of the police in the community.
“Wala ‘yung redundant na functions – hindi nakakatulong o hindi na ginagamit dapat incorporate to be performing other functions. Nagbabago ang trabaho … andiyan pa rin siya, but we have many new jobs,” President Marcos said.
“That’s a good plan. We will define the functions — investigation and operations, most of our personnel should be dedicated to that,” he added.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. explained during the Malacañang briefing on Wednesday that President Marcos wants to maximize the police force to avoid duplicity of work.
He said President Marcos wants to ensure that police officers should focus working at the community level.
“Ang nangyayari kasi ‘yung iba nasa office lang, nagkakaroon ng duplicity of work. ‘Yun nga ang ni-report ni Chief PNP. Ang sabi ng Pangulo, tama ‘yan para imbes na nasa opisina ang mga pulis, at least nasa baba – importante sa grassroots, nasa baba,” Abalos said.
“So, we discussed things about downsizing,” he added. Abalos said President Marcos was happy about the plan.
Asked if the rightsizing of PNP personnel would mean unemployment for some police officers, Abalos said they do not have the intention to remove police officers from their post. They will just be re-assigned to other functions, he said.
He said the PNP, under the leadership of chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil, is on the right track as far as his leadership is concerned as he emphasized that it is important to re-examine the PNP programs. (PND)
