A legislator has cited the need for Congress to strengthen the functions of the Philippine National Police (PNP) as he backed a plan of President Marcos to create a legal department within the PNP that to exclusively handle cases filed against police officers.
“We fully support the President’s directive to study the possible creation of a PNP legal department whose main job is to protect police officers from cases of harassment and other similar complaints filed against them,” Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan of Bicol Saro party-list group said.
As a former assistant secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Yamsuan said he is aware of this longstanding problem faced by the PNP especially in cases where suspects are able to get off scot-free because of a good legal defense team.
Yamsuan pointed out that while the PNP has an existing Legal Service unit, it is often spread thin as it is also tasked to study contracts involving the PNP; render legal opinions on issues arising from the administration and operation of the police organization; and conduct seminars and lectures on legal issues and jurisprudence affecting law enforcement, among other functions.
“In line with the President’s plan, an office or unit manned by lawyers with expertise in criminal law can be set up within the PNP. Its job is to exclusively handle cases and complaints filed against PNP personnel in the performance of their duties,” Yamsuan said.
