Department of the Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday said that his agency would make sure that the Philippine National Police subpoena powers will not be abused.
Año said that the power to summon documents and individuals given to select PNP officials under the new law will be strictly monitored.
“The DILG will be on the lookout for any hint of abuse that may be committed by the PNP in carrying out its restored subpoena powers and we will see to it that this will be used only for the intention that it was granted,” Año was quoted as saying in a press release.
He added that the subpoena powers are not “universal for the whole PNP organization” as these will not be given to policemen who are at the precinct level.
“[T]he law might have considered that this will be only used in circumstances when witnesses refuse to cooperate with police investigation,” he said.
“This new law takes the best intention of the crime victims at heart because they may finally get the justice that they have been longing for as witnesses will now be obliged to appear before the police,” he added.
The DILG chief said that since several cases filed with the prosecutor and the courts being dismissed for “lack of or weak evidence,” the subpoena powers will help the PNP strengthen its cases and “ensure that justice is served.”
He also agreed that PNP should be granted such power as other law enforcement agencies have it just like the National Bureau of Investigation.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 10973, authorizing the PNP chief, the CIDG director and deputy director for administration to issue subpoenas on cases under investigation last March 1.
According to the law, failure to comply with the subpoena would allow the PNP-CIDG to file a case for indirect contempt before the courts.
PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has dismissed fears surrounding the subpoena powers given to him and two other high-ranking officials, saying that any attempt to abuse or misuse it will be dealt with accordingly.
But the PNP chief drew criticisms when he added that “conscience” should be enough guidance for the officers who were granted the power to issue the summons.
CIDG chief Director Roel Obusan, for his part, said that there is no need to craft implementing rules and regulations for the subpoena powers but said that they will create policies on how policemen can serve the subpoenas.
He issued the statement after Dela Rosa was criticized for saying that “conscience” should be enough guidance for the officers who were granted the power to issue the summons.