PNP spokesman: No Alsa Masa revival, only ‘community policing’

The Philippine National Police (PNP) belied reports about the return of the anti-communist vigilante group Alsa Masa, to expand the engagement of the community in fighting crimes, especially illegal drugs.

Alsa Masa was an anti-communist vigilante group established in Davao City in the 1980s.

“The PNP has no such plan whatsoever,” PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Benigno Durana Jr. said in a text message.

“Perhaps what PCSupt Edward Carranza meant is the concept of community policing which is a standard policing strategy we are implementing through our enhanced Managing Police Operations Project,” he continued.

Durana explained "community policing is both a philosophy and a policing strategy of mobilizing community stakeholders to identify crime and public safety problems."

He said the PNP continues to prioritize, develop and implement solutions, at the same time, monitor and evaluate their effectiveness .

Community policing will strengthen the collaboration between the PNP and the community in addressing security and safety issues, he said.

“It is in line with enhanced public engagement which is one of the four action agenda of the Chief PNP.  It will never be PNP’s policy to encourage vigilantism as the term Alsa Masa would evoke,” Durana said.

Reports about the revival of Alsa Masa has alarmed lawmakers and human rights groups, such as the Human Rights Watch (HRW).

HRW said deputizing people to act like police could only mean more extra judicial killings. —LDF, GMA News