SENATOR Raffy Tulfo has slammed the Philippine National Police (PNP) for alleged repeated failure to follow police operational procedures.
Meanwhile, the PNP released a report offering comparative insights into the state of criminality in the country for the period January 1 to September 5, 2022 and 2023.
In particular, the Index Crime Volume has shown a decrease of 2,514 cases which translates to an 8.80% decline from 28,558 cases in 2022 to 26,044 cases in 2023.
Due to this. Tulfo filed Senate Resolution No. 767 which seeks to investigate the PNP for alleged abuse, killings, and human rights violations.
The senator cited several PNP failed operations, including those in Pandi, Bulacan and Rogriguez, Rizal.
He recalled the Aug. 12 Pandi incident where police barged inside the property of Rodelio Vicente, claiming they were conducting a manhunt for alias “Elmer.”
Vicente, who sought Tulfo’s help through his program “Raffy Tulfo in Action,” was taken into custody and arrested for allegedly committing direct assault and disobedience to a person in authority.
During the operation, the senator said the police officers were not in uniform, but wore ski masks.
They even physically assaulted Vicente’s daughter.
Adding insult to injury, Vicente’s son was just visiting his father in the precinct when he was taken into custody by the PNP Pandi Bulacan Police for allegedly committing direct assault and disobedience to a person in authority.
Tulfo also recalled the case of John Francis Ompad who was killed by Cpl. Arnulfo Sabillo of the Rodriguez, Rizal police station on August 20.
Prior to the incident, Sabillo chased John Ace, John Francis’ brother, for allegedly refusing to show documents and driving away at an “Oplan Sita” checkpoint.
John Ace purportedly threw his helmet at Sabillo because he allegedly saw the backrider of Sabillo, Jeffrey Baguio, a civilian, pulling something from his waistline.
Sabillo then allegedly tried to shoot John Ace but it hit John Francis instead who was coming out of their house.
“Aforementioned two incidents happened within the same month; and just weeks after the death of Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar who was killed by police operatives from Navotas under a claim of mistaken identity. The operation was found to have had several irregularities and non-compliance with the PNP Police Operations Procedure,” the resolution read.
“The protection of human rights is a fundamental principle enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. And there is a need for the Police to strictly observe their Police Operations Procedure and to ensure strict application of the internal discipline of the PNP,” Tulfo stated.
According to the report by the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management Crime Research Analysis Center (CRAC), the top
three most prevalent crimes for both years remained consistent with rape, theft, and physical injury.
Meanwhile, except for homicide cases which logged a slight increase of 0.42 percent in 2023, cases of murder, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft and carnapping dropped by 8.79 percent, demonstrating an overall improvement in peace and order.
PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. cited the efforts of the police force in maintaining peace and order in the country.
“I am pleased to see the continuing positive trends in our crime statistics. The decrease in crime rates reflects the hard work and dedication of our officers and the effectiveness of our police interventions and strategies. However, we will not become complacent.
We will continue to strive for even greater peace and security for the Filipino people.” Acorda said As the holiday season draws near, the Acorda ordered all police regional directors to intensify their campaign against criminality.