PNP respects NAPOLCOM circular on reshuffle, seeks dialogue

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it will seek a dialogue with the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) to iron out the reorganization of officials in key positions in the agency.

PNP chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. issued the remark when asked about the NAPOLCOM resolution requiring the submission of a list of third-level officials before these officials are given positions.

“We have to iron out ‘yung differences namin ng NAPOLCOM. And I respect that particular NAPOLCOM memorandum circular,” Azurin said in a press briefing.

Last week, the PNP implemented a reorganization of officials in key positions for the career growth and designation of more seasoned senior officers.

Under NAPOLCOM memorandum circular 2019-001, however, the Director for Personnel and Records Management shall cause the publication of vacant and soon-to-be-vacant positions as well as the list of eligible officers for those positions.

It states that “any officer who is not included in the said list may not be designated to any of the third level positions in the PNP.”

“We have to talk it out how we can best deliver ‘yung intention ng NAPOLCOM and intention ng PNP (we have to talk it out how we can best deliver the intention of NAPOLCOM and the intention of PNP),” he later said.

According to Azurin, then NAPOLCOM vice chairman Rogelio Casurao allowed them to pass documents later upon his request.

Casurao passed away in January 2021.

“I requested na, 'Sir, nababagalan po ‘yung confirmation. Can we do at least na implement na namin ‘yung orders and then bigyan na lang namin po kayo ng copy para sa ganon mabilis ‘yung implementation natin ng revamp?'” Azurin said.

(I requested, 'Sir, the confirmation is slow. Can we at least implement the orders and then we’ll give you a copy later so the implementation will be fast?')

“And then the vice chair then, pinayagan po kami sa ganon na setup… Since 2016 ‘yun naman ang naging practice,” he added.

(And the vice chair then allowed that kind of setup… Since 2016 this has been the practice.) —KG, GMA News