Page 9 - The PH Source Vol 4 No 2 - Aguirre

make Napolcom more responsive in III as vice president for Legal Affairs
shaping a better police force of the of the government-owned Clark
country. Development Corporation. When
“Actually my term under the rule Aquino’s term came to a close, then
of law, my term would only be in newly-elected President Duterte
continuity with the unfinished term named him to lead the DoJ.
of the late Napolcom vice chairman
Casurao. That would until March 8 His Top agenda
next year. But under the law, I could Aguirre hinted on the need for
also be reappointed to a fresh six year radical reforms including a move
term. But it would all depend on the designed to detach the PNP from
next President.” being beholden to politicians.
Asked to elaborate on how he “I know that there are so many
spent day one as Napolcom’s deputy things that have to be done, maraming-
chairperson and executive officer, marami.”
Aguirre said that he met with the According to the new Napolcom
agency’s officials and personnel, from executive officer, he would “move
whom he asked for cooperation, heaven and earth” if only to make
support, and patience as he adjusts to sure that their agency observes its
the demands of his new office. procedure with a touch of promptness.
At the executive briefing at the He however admitted that Napolcom
agency, department heads also could only be able to resolve pending
presented their functions, mandate, cases on erring police officers which
priority programs, and work status. are brought to their office.
Aguirre for his part underscored the Under such conditions, Aguirre said
importance of “integrity, dedication, that he would ask the board to pass a
and excellence as hallmarks of all resolution asking for some changes on
official tasks in order to maintain the scope of Napolcom.
the people’s confidence and trust in “our agency somehow lacks teeth.
We only get to act on what has been
brought to our attention. What if there
are shenanigan police officers doing
receive a call from Senator Go, who something dubious in the regions?
conveyed the wish of the President for The problem needs congressional
him to take the challenge of heading intervention. There must be an
Napolcom at a time when the PNP amendment and I am determined to
seemed to be at its lowest following push for that.’
successive incidents that yielded abuses Moreover, he said there is a
and blunders of the national police. need to make the necessary changes
“I did not apply for the position. on the manner of designating and
I don’t even have any inkling that I appointing top police posts even as he
would be re-appointed. Nagulat lang claimed that such function should be
ako isang araw… January 9 or 10 exclusively a “police matter.”
biglang tinawagan ako ni Senator Bong He wants to take the PNP out of
Go and conveyed the message of the the political clout, or perhaps make it
President. Sabi niya, the President an honest-to-goodness civilian agency,
needs you at the Napolcom and was which is not beholden to anyone. Not
hoping I would accept the challenge. I even to politicians in power.
would be helping daw the President... Sought to elaborate, Aguirre cited
lalo pa ngayong napakaraming the existing practice on naming a local
controversies ang pulis.” chief of police.
The next day Aguirre told his “Consider this… the PNP hierarchy
family that he’s bent on accepting the nominates three to five competent
position. names to be a local police chief.
“My family has been supportive Governors and mayors get to choose
in all my endeavors except running Napolcom.” from the list. That alone makes the
for public office. When I told them “And I am quite elated by the way selected local police chief beholden
about the offer for me to go back to they took my appointment. Maganda to the governor or the mayor, who
government service, they said they’ll yung pagtanggap nila sa akin. They often makes the police chief do things
support me on this. It was only then gave me a warm welcome and seemed which are either unethical or unlawful.
that I called back Senator Go to say very supportive on my working What’s worse is that the local police
yes,” Aguirre said even as he admits agenda. Kaya naman I believe that if itself become their de facto private
that the agency where he’ll be taking cooperation will continue then the armies,” Aguirre averred.
over would be something new for him. function of the police, which is to “That practice should stop. We
A day after Malacañang announced protect and serve the Filipino people, should insulate. Hindi na dapat
his appointment to the Napolcom, the would be achieved,” he added. governor o mayor ang pumipili.
first thing he has in mind is that he is Prior to his Napolcom appointment, Kaya nagagamit ang mga pulis bilang
taking on a tall order requiring results Aguirre in March 2013 was tapped mga private armies because they
in just 14 months. yes, 14 months to by then President Benigno Aquino

January – March 2021 | The Philippine Source 31