MANILA -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday welcomed the University of the Philippines (UP) openness to have their security officers undergo training by police officers, in a bid to maintain peace and order in its campuses.
“Well that's a good sign, they admit that there is really a problem there. No less than the Chair of the CHED (Commission on Higher Education) admitted that there is a problem inside the campus, especially the proliferation of illegal drugs and we have reports not only in UP Diliman but also in UP Los Baños where there are incidents of robberies, petty crimes and even rape which are not reported to us,” PNP chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde told reporters when sought for a comment on Thursday.
Albayalde was reacting to reports quoting UP Vice President for Public Affairs Elena Pernia as saying that the UP police is open to the idea of undergoing training by the PNP.
Ched Chairman Prospero De Vera earlier said that UP police does not have information and is incapable of dealing with these crime situations.
Albayalde suggested to train them inside the Camp Crame where there are available facilities.
“It would be better if this will be done in our facilities because they don't even have a facility. They can come here in Camp Crame and they can also have dialogues with us. If they want, we can also come to them or we can do it in a neutral ground. But as far as training is concerned, it's better if they come here. We have better facilities here,” said Albayalde.
Albayalde also reiterated that there is no militarization in different universities and campuses as claimed by the militant groups.
“They really need our help. They cannot say that they can handle it on their own and again, this is not militarization. There is no militarization here. (It) will be a series of dialogues already in specific schools. This is what we have discussed with student leaders of various schools,” he stressed.
On Tuesday, de Vera stressed the need to review the 30-year old agreement between the Department of National Defense and the UP that sets rigid conditions for the entry of government security forces into its campuses.
In 1989, UP President Francisco Nemenzo Jr., and then-Secretary of the National Defense, Fidel Ramos, forged an agreement limiting the capacity and presence of police and military force in its major campuses and regional units.
In addition, the 1989 accord specifically provides that "no member of police may conduct operations on UP campuses without prior coordination with, or as requested by UP authorities". (PNA)
