Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) will focus on its internal cleansing activities to stop police misconduct before it begins.
According to Philippines News Agency, PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stated that this new direction aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s directive to ensure a disciplined, professional, and syndicate-free police force that serves the Filipino people with absolute integrity. Nartatez emphasized that while the PNP has dismantled major criminal syndicates within its ranks, the focus must now remain on long-term sustainability.
Nartatez mentioned that the command is currently institutionalizing early detection programs, including mandatory ethics training and psychological assessments. ‘Prevention is better than cure. We have shifted our focus on preventive and early interventions to strengthen the moral and spiritual foundation and instill discipline and integrity among our personnel,’ he stated.
He further explained, ‘Sa pamamagitan ng mas mahigpit na screening, continuous training, at psychological assessments, nakikita natin ang mga posibleng risk factors bago pa man magkaroon ng mali. We also have integrity monitoring and mentorship programs to guide young officers toward professionalism (Through stricter screening, continuous training, and psychological assessments, we can identify potential risk factors before they occur. We also have integrity monitoring and mentorship programs to guide young officers toward professionalism).’
The shift comes as Remulla announced that integrity in the PNP has been restored since the police organization was cleansed of syndicates and “ninja cops.” ‘The PNP recognizes that a corruption-free police force cannot exist in isolation. Kaya nakikipagtulungan kami sa local communities, barangay councils, at civil society organizations para sa transparency initiatives at reporting mechanisms,’ Nartatez said.
To support these changes, Nartatez is also expanding the use of technology in high-risk operations, including the wider deployment of body-worn cameras and GPS tracking to create digital audit trails designed to protect both the public and the integrity of honest officers.
