Bangsamoro police still to be part of PNP, BBL draft framers tell Senate

The local Bangsamoro police force to be formed when the Bangsamoro is formed “will still be part of the Philippine National Police,” a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Committee (BTC) explained to senators at a hearing on Tuesday.

 

Atty. Sha Elija Dumama Alba of the BTC said the local police force "will also be part of the National Police Commission,” in answer to a question raised by Sen. Bongbong Marcos, chairman of the local government committee.

 

"Power sharing for such an important issue is vague. Chain of command is usually very clear," Marcos said. 

 

Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, peace panel chairman, explained that some aspects of operation including acquisition of firearms and promotion shall be within the rules of the PNP.

 

However, the chief minister will have "more direct powers" over the PNP regional police.

 

The chief minister is the head of the new Bangsomoro political entity. He/she shall be elected by the Bangsamoro parliament.

 

Asked if the PNP chief can countermand the order of the chief minister over the Bangsamoro police, Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, said "in principle, yes." 

 

"If there will be conflict… we would hope, that it will be resolved amicably," Ferrer added, citing that even with the current PNP system and local government units, some conflicts arise as well. —KG, GMA News