MANILA: Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil on Monday vowed legal assistance for police officers facing counter-charges.
Speaking during the regular flag-raising rites in Camp Crame, Quezon City, Marbil said this is among the main challenges encountered by police officers in the performance of their duties.
‘Alam ko naman lahat kayo na operatiba ang pinaka problema natin sa PNP is ‘yung mga counter charges and minsan kapag nakaka-counter charge kayo ang mga pulis natin bumubunot ng kanilang pera (I’m aware that our main problem in the PNP are these counter-charges and sometimes, police officers who face counter-charges have to spend for themselves),” he said.
Marbil said he also wants every police officer to have a health insurance and is looking forward to the donation from the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund Inc.
‘We are trying to do anything for our policemen para iisa lang ang iisipin niyo, ibibigay natin lahat para sa pulis natin pero isa lang ang request namin sa in
yo. Do the best para sa mga tao natin, sa mga kliyente natin (so that our police officers would only think of one thing. We would like to provide everything for our police officers but we only have one request. Do the best for our people, our clients),’ said Marbil.
No diversion of rice subsidy
Marbil also dispelled rumors on the reallocation of funds intended for the rice allowance of uniformed police personnel to the food allowance of persons deprived of liberty.
Marbil admitted hearing rumblings among the ranks over the issue, which also include alleged reallocation of Combat Incentive Pay and Combat Duty Pay.
‘I just want to say there is a difference between a wise man and a fool. A wise man talks because he has something to say. A fool talks because he has to say something. Fools come up with so much stories that destroy the organization. That is not right, that is not what we want. I’m not pleased with this fake news that disrupts us. That’s not really true,’ he added.
Uniformed police personnel st
arted receiving an allowance equivalent to 20 kilos of rice per month in 2017 following the order of then-president Rodrigo R. Duterte.
In 2022, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. also issued an order authorizing the grant of one-time rice assistance for all government personnel, including police officers.
Another reshuffle
Meanwhile, two ranking officials were included in the latest reorganization of the PNP.
Based on Marbil’s order dated May 6, intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II and research and development chief Brig. Gen. Westrimundo Obinque switched posts.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the latest reshuffle came after the retirement of some high-ranking officials.
Source: Philippines News Agency