Some PNP units performing poorly

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

A RANKING Ilonggo PNP official lamented the sub-par performance of some police units in Western Visayas during the Annual General Inspection-Operational Readiness Security Inspection Test and Evaluation (AGI-ORSITE).

Police Director Ifor Magbanua, deputy inspector general of the PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS), said he observed sloppy practices in Bacolod City and Guimaras. These must be addressed by their respective commanders, he said.

Magbanua, who hails from Bacolod City and Iloilo, said there are police stations that don’t properly file blotters reports and other documents on cases brought to their attention.

“Kalat-kalat ang mga blotters (The blotters are chaotic). These should be filed in hardbound ledgers to maintain their integrity. If the blotter is nothing but a loose collection of paper, it will become inadmissible as evidence in court because the prosecutor or court will doubt that it has been tampered,” Magbanua said.

Magbanua said some police units in the region also scored low in the sniping test which could result in serious repercussions during crisis incidents.

“Kanubo gid sang scores (The scores are very low). What happens if there is another hostage incident? Will the ground commander become the sniper?” Magbanua said.

Magbanua said police commanders should also address cleanliness in their respective stations to make a good impression to the public and for their own sake.

Magbanua said the Police Regional Office (PRO-6) is better off compared to other regional units despite his observations.

“These problems must be addressed by the commanders. If you are the city police director, you must take charge and do something about the problem,” he added.

The AGI-ORSITE is an annual undertaking of the PNP-IAS to determine the readiness and capabilities of police units under various PNP regional commands.

C/Supt. Victor G. Agarcio, AGI-ORSITE team leader for Western Visayas, said the inspection is meant to "see what is right and what is wrong" in the PNP service.

The AGI-ORSITE includes accounting of personnel, records check and skills demonstrations.

The results of the inspection will be presented to PRO-6 officers and the PNP chief. They will serve as basis for formulation of policies and programs of action for effective PNP services.