Angara pushes for Magna Carta for the PNP

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara on Thursday reiterated the need for the passage of Magna Carta for the Philippine National Police (PNP) to rid the police force of scalawags involved in corruption and the illegal drugs trade.

The senator has been filing the Magna Carta for PNP since his days in the House of Representatives and during his first term at the Senate but it has yet to be passed. He once again filed a version in the 17th Congress. 

Angara's bill seeks to establish a separate salary scale for the PNP, distinct from the other agencies of the government, to attract more qualified and competent law enforcers in the country.

This was after President Rodrigo Duterte named retired officers PNP Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo Jr. and Chief Supt. Vicente Loot; Chief Supt. Bernardo Diaz, Chief Supt Edgardo Tinio, and Director Joel Pagdilao as alleged protectors of drug syndicates. 

“Talagang nakakadismaya kung mapapatunayan ngang sangkot sa iligal na droga ang ilan sa mga matataas na opisyal ng PNP," Angara said in a press statement.

"We are hoping that through the passage of this measure, our policemen will be more encouraged to stay true to their commitment to preserve peace and order and protect the lives of the Filipino people rather than coddling drug lords and exacerbating the drug situation in the country,” he added.

Angara's bill provides for additional benefits such as cost of living, clothing, quarters and subsistence allowances, longevity pay, reasonable leaves, and retirement programs. 

“The Magna Carta codifies and strengthens existing rights and benefits provided for in various laws, resolutions and other circulars concerning PNP. It seeks to put dignity into the country's premiere police force,” he said. 

"Special hardship allowance"

Under the bill, uniformed PNP personnel who accepts assignments in remote areas or isolated situations, and is exposed to hardship and combat situation or other hazard unusual to peacekeeping, crime prevention and investigation activities, will be compensated with a remote assignment allowance and special hardship allowance, similar to combat pay of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

On the other hand, families and beneficiaries of members of the PNP, who are killed in the line of duty, will be granted special financial, scholarship and employment assistance.

Angara said the bill also aims to develop a holistic PNP development program which includes provisions on merit promotions, performance evaluation, in-service training, overseas and local scholarships, training grants, incentive award system, among others, to foster a highly efficient and competent police force.

Drive against illegal drugs

Meanwhile, Angara also filed a bill which seeks to establish a national integrated program to strengthen the drive against illegal drugs. The measure seeks to put up an exclusive fund, to be called the Anti-Illegal Drug Campaign and Research (AIDCARE) Fund.

This will be used to: establish a nationwide education and awareness program on illegal drugs; implement a mandatory training for local government unit personnel involved with the enforcement, research, and policymaking on illegal drugs; conduct a nationwide study on the nature and extent of drug abuse; put up a national helpline for drug abusers; and, create a public registry of drug dealers, pushers and traffickers.

“We must acknowledge that while the government has declared war against illegal drugs in order to maintain peace and order, it must also provide an opportunity for drug abusers to reform their lives, as they are merely victims as well of drug lords who control the massive illegal drug trade in the country,” said Angara. — VVP, GMA News