PNP to reform unfaithful husbands in its ranks
PNP to reform unfaithful husbands in its ranks
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be
implementing an internal cleansing to more effectively resolve and
prevent cases of economic abuse among its personnel.
This
was after the agency noticed an increasing number of complaints against its
officers—not from arrested
suspects or disgruntled citizens—but
from their aggrieved wives.
PNP Deputy Spokesperson Police Lieutenant
Col. Kimberly Molitas told CNN Philippines in an interview that the PNP Women
and Children Protection Center received 301 complaints of economic abuse in
2018 – a 40 percent increase from what they have received in 2017.
Most of the complaints, however, were not
necessarily about physical abuse – but more on the “abandonment” of the
spouses.
Under the Republic Act 9262, also known as
the Act of Defining Violence Against Women and Children, the abandonment or
withdrawal of financial support can be considered a form of “economic
abuse” committed against the wife or children.
A violation of RA 9262 is considered by IAS
as a case of grave misconduct that can tarnish an officer’s service record. If
the Internal Affairs Service finds the officer “guilty,” the maximum penalty is
dismissal from the PNP.
Molitas noted this higher number of
complaints of economic abuse might be partly caused by the significant pay hike
police officers received this year.
“The [PNP] chief would be right in saying na
dahil nga tumaas ‘yung sahod namin, nagsi-sink na rin ‘yung partner to increase
or to add more financial support to the children of the police officers,”
Molita said.
According
to Molita, the PNP will be implementing a squad concept that emphasizes values
formation, spiritual development, and strengthening family ties of its
personnel.
The squad concept is a strategy where police
officers are formed into small groups of six to eight members. They are led by
a squad leader or a representative from the religious sector.
“They can be the squad leader to our police officers na merong mga naka-file na charges against them and explore what their issues are and what solutions they can help out with and also help them on their spiritual growth,” Molitas said.
The revitalized internal program is currently
being implemented in Metro Manila and will be implemented nationwide soon.