(File photo)
MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas on Monday has ordered the stoppage of the localization program in the deployment of police personnel.
“I already stopped it. We have procedures on how to transfer. We have procedures for the transfer of our personnel. They know what to do,” he told reporters during Monday’s press briefing held at Camp Crame.
The localization program was initiated by Sinas' predecessor, Gen. Camilo Cascolan based on the concept that policemen who are assigned in their hometowns or near their hometowns are less prone to commit abuses and engage in illegal activities.
Sinas said Cascolan’s localization program has greatly affected the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) when he was still the Metro Manila police chief.
“We have procedures. We have the policy to follow in connection with re-assignment and we must observe it,” said Sinas.
He said the program is ill-timed since it was implemented when the PNP is at the forefront of fighting the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19)
“So ngayon (now), we momentarily (put it on hold) to prevent an exodus of police personnel. What happened we are in the middle of a pandemic and then our police personnel were reassigned to different places. We would wait until all these 4,000 to 5,000 police personnel across the country are done with their reassignment,” he said.
He added that the program has also affected the PNP's anti-crime campaign and its Covid-19 response efforts.
He, however, disclosed that some of those who are included in the list of those who are set to be assigned to their hometowns denied applying for transfer of assignment.
“'Yung iba na parang gusto ma-retain. Maraming nagpa-revoke ng order kasi sabi nila, hindi naman daw sila talaga nag-request (Some said they want to be retained in their present assignment. Many police officers had their reassignment order revoked because they said they did not request for it). I don’t know who’s telling the truth but they said they never made any request for transfer,” said Sinas.
Sinas added that he also instructed the Directorate for Personnel Records and Management (DPRM) to assist those seeking the revocation of the request for transfer to their hometowns.
“What I ordered to stop is the next batch that would avail because it seems that our personnel became used to shortening the process. We have a policy to follow. My guidance is we observe these policies properly,” Sinas noted. (PNA)
