PNP needs top-to-bottom values reorientation –Sen. Binay

After a cop shot and killed two unarmed civilians in Tarlac, Senator Nancy Binay on Monday said that all members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) should undergo values reorientation to remind them that they are supposed to be protectors of the public.

The false notion of empowerment and the distorted concept of authority within the police force needed to be dismantled, Binay added.

“Kailangan ng matinding across-the-board value re-orientation ang buong hanay ng PNP natin, dahil tila nakakalimutan na ng marami ang sagradong tungkulin nila na maglingkod at protektahan kahit 'yung pinakaabang Pilipino,” Binay said in a statement.

“May ninja cops, mañanita cops, ex-cop na land grabber at illegal logger, berdugong pulis—buong taon may nakakahiyang headline tungkol sa pulis. Ano na ba ang ginagawa ng liderato tungkol dito? The people expect the police to be their defenders, not their offenders."

A more stringent psychological evaluation should also be required to ensure that scalawags are not accepted by the PNP.

Binay underscored that something was "deeply wrong" when both high-ranking police officers and rank-and-file cops both flout the law.

"Wala nang takot, dahil tila hindi naman na yata sila napaparusahan. Kadalasan napo-promote pa nga," she said.

PNP chief Debold Sinas, before his promotion, got involved in the "mañanita controversy" for holding a birthday gathering amid a strict COVID-19 lockdown. Despite being slapped with criminal complaints before the Taguig City Prosecutor's Office due to the incident, he was still chosen by President Rodrigo Duterte to be the country's top cop.

"Rather than being the people’s assurance of law and order, lately many of our cops are becoming the face of terror and impunity, blatantly disregarding the rule of law and spitting on our values. Tama na, sobra na, kailangang itigil na ang pang-aabuso," she added.

On Sunday, Police Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca fatally shot his neighbors, Sonya Rufino Gregorio and her son Frank Anthony, during a heated argument.

He eventually surrendered to authorities and is now facing double murder charges.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año insisted that the killings were an isolated case, and administrative charges would also be filed against Nuezca for his dismissal from police service.

The Department of Justice also vowed to ensure that justice would be served. — DVM, GMA News