Solons lament failure of PNP execs to pay courtesy call on local officials

Several congressmen on Thursday bewailed the failure of local police directors to pay courtesy call on the lawmakers of the areas where they are stationed, three months into the Duterte administration.

During a House deliberation on the budget of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), three lawmakers — Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, Antipolo, Rizal Rep. Romeo Acop, Sulu Rep. Munir Arbison — all complained that newly-installed regional police directors in their respective districts have yet to visit them in their offices at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City.

Addressing Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, Acop pointed out that that under PNP rules, newly-assigned police officials are required to pay a courtesy call on the local officials where they are being stationed. 

Responding to the congressmen's complaints, Dela Rosa admitted it was his "fault" for failing to remind his subordinates to pay courtesy calls.

Dela Rosa promised to instruct all his local police directors to pay a courtesy call on the congressmen in their respective jurisdictions.

"In-admit ko. That's my failure to do the same. From here on, I promise you, may courtesy call to all congressmen in their AOR [area of responsibility]," said Dela Rosa.

Acop said, "Napansin ng mga kasamahan ko, magsimula ng umupo ka, tumigas na rin sila. Ginagaya ka na... After listening to my colleagues here, it seems that is the general observation." 

Acop said the police regional director of Calabarzon region, of which Rizal is under, has yet to report to him.

The lawmaker noted that a station commander in his district has recently been recommended relived by the mayor of Antipolo for failing to pay a courtesy call.

"That is my problem. Lalo na ako ay nanggaling sa organisasyon na iyon [PNP]," said Acop, who before becoming a lawmaker had served as police chief superintendent during the Ramos administration.

Cops don't know me

Meanwhile, Fariñas also brought up the matter to the attention of Secretary Ismael "Mike" Sueno of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), of which the PNP is under.

Fariñas said Sueno, who was also present during the budget deliberations, should know that courtesy calls should be paid on governors, especially because both of them were once governors.

Both Fariñas and Sueno became Ilocos Norte and South Cotabato governors, respectively, in 1988.

Sueno vowed to do something about it, and thanked Fariñas for raising his concerns about courtesy calls.

"Institusyon na po kayo sa Ilocos Norte," the DILG chief said.

"Thank you, kaya lang hindi ako kilala ng mga pulis," said Fariñas as people inside the room erupted in laughter.

"Sila [former] Director General [Ricardo] Marquez, dumaan lang sa amin. Tapos parang hindi po kami nakikilala. Please lang po, para po maganda po ang ating relasyon," said Fariñas.

Arbison, for his part, said: "Sana makilala namin sila para malaman din namin kung mayroon kaming maitutulong sa kanila." — VVP, GMA News