PNP to Palace: Land portions of police, military camps in QC cannot be sold

Malacañang may have a problem with its plan to sell land portions of the police and military camps in Quezon City because according to the Philippine National Police (PNP), these cannot be sold. Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr., PNP spokesperson, said the main offices of the Armed Forces and PNP are located in lands donated by Ortigas & Co. in the 1950s. “Nakalagay po kasi sa deed of donation na ibabalik po sa kanila, hindi po pwede na ibenta," he told reporters. The deed of donation states that Ortigas & Co. will get back the donated portion if the government decides to convert the police and military camps for other uses. Plan to sell government assets On Friday, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said the government is planning to sell government assets, including the 178-hectare Camp Aguinaldo and the 33-hectare Camp Crame. Camp Emilio Aguinaldo is the headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) while Camp Rafael Crame is the headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP). Both camps face each other along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue in Quezon City.

Privatization of military lots Purisima said he has talked with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and the AFP leadership about the possible privatization of Camps Crame and Aguinaldo. Relocation of headquarters Meanwhile, the PNP spokesman expressed apprehension over plans to relocate the PNP headquarters outside Metro Manila. “Wala naman problema except that traditionally ang pulis ay nasa gitna ng community, not outside the community, kasi community service tayo. How we can we be providers of servants of the police stations, maging responsive with dispatch and expedition kung nasa malayong lugar din tayo?" Cruz asked. However, he assured that the PNP will abide by the decision of national government. “Tatalima ang PNP, we will respect that. Kung ano man ang desisyon ng leadership ng ating gobyerno ay susundin ng PNP," he said. "Kung yan naman po ay it will redound to better police service like po yung mga proceeds dyan ay for additional equipment, additional trainings and other assets para po sa PNP mas maganda po yun," he added. Opposing views On the other hand, Batangas Rep. Hermilando Mandanas, chairman of the House committee on ways and means, vowed to oppose the plan to sell Camps Crame and Aguinaldo for commercial purposes. He is set to file a bill declaring the two military camps as historical sites saying these "should not be subject to the commerce of man." "These camps are symbols of Filipinos' innate love for freedom and liberty, and the embodiment of the ideals and aspirations rekindled by the EDSA revolution," Mandanas said. On the other hand, Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano is open to the proposal of Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima. Abano said the proceeds from the sale of the military camps and other government properties could be used to finance other government projects. He said the proceeds can be used to speed up the modernization of the AFP and the PNP and finance infrastructure projects, school buildings, housing projects, among others. – VVP, GMANews.TV