Lacson bares PNP's 'suspicious' use of NTF-ELCAC funds to conduct census in barangays

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday claimed a police general had instructed his subordinates to conduct a census in different barangays using the government’s anti-insurgency funds, adding such move might be election-related.

In an ANC interview, Lacson said he received reports that part of the P800 million National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) funds allotted to the Philippine National Police (PNP) would be used for the census.

“We received reports at least sa [Philippine National Police], may nag-iikot na heneral... Kasi P800 million ‘yung sa kanila eh and part of that, allegedly, is being used to give instruction to their chiefs of police na magkaraon ng parang census among residents ng barangay,” he said.

(We received reports that in the PNP, there is a general who is going around instructing his subordinates to conduct census in barangays using part of the P800 million fund under the NTF-ELCAC budget.)

“Ang gusto nila 30% of barangay residents ay mag-register, to give their names, their contact number at kanilang addresses. So for what reason? Medyo suspicious yon mukhang pang-eleksyon ito. And we have to look into that because that is outside the authorized utilization of the NTF-ELCAC funds kasi ito, pang development ito e,” he added.

(What they want is 30% of the barangay residents will register, give their names, contact numbers, and addresses. So for what reason? That is quite suspicious and it appears that it is for the elections. We have to look into that because that is outside the authorized utilization of the NTF-ELCAC funds, which are meant for development projects.)

It was Lacson, himself a former PNP chief, who sponsored the budget of the anti-insurgency task force in the Senate. He has expressed intention to run for president in the 2022 elections.

GMA News Online has already sought comments from NTF-ELCAC and the PNP through their spokespersons, Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco and Police Brigadier General Ronaldo Olay, respectively, but they have yet to respond as of posting time

PNP chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar has also yet to respond to GMA News Online inquiry regarding Lacson's claim as of posting time.

Lacson, meanwhile, said the use of NTF-ELCAC funds for other purposes will prompt a thorough review of the task force’s budget.

“When we deliberate on the NTF-ELCAC budget for 2022, as the principal sponsor of their budget in the Senate, I will lead the efforts to scrutinize how they utilized their 2021 appropriations which should be limited to the itemized list of development projects approved by Congress under the 2021 [General Appropriations Act],” Lacson said in a text message.

“I do not recall an item for the purpose which PNP had reportedly utilized the same. We would like to hear from the PNP leadership if such action was authorized or not,” he added.

The senator said he will join Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon’s call to scrap the reported P40-billion proposed appropriations for the NTF-ELCAC under the 2022 National Expenditures Program if there was “clear misuse” of funds and he will also request the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct a motu propio investigation.

Under the 2021 national budget, the 822 “cleared” barangays were allocated with P16.4 billion under the NTF-ELCAC’s Barangay Development Program.

Drilon had earlier warned that NTF-ELCAC funds might be used “in aid of election.”

Drilon had said it is obvious that the barangay development program was “disguised” as anti-insurgency measure but was really “meant to help boost the chances of the administration candidates for next year’s election.”

He said these barangays are being used this early for “partisan politics.” —KBK, GMA News