PNP chief urged: Implement reforms

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June 15, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Newly appointed chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Gen. Nicolas Torre III should implement reforms in filing of cases and in dealing with arrested suspects to make sure criminals in police custody are properly prosecuted and their rights respected, Manila Rep. Rolando Valeriano said yesterday.

In a statement, Valeriano said some of the reforms he wished Torre would implement are in the treatment of suspects and in the preparation of charges against them.

He also proposed that drug-related offenses be considered index crimes.

“Recognizing the importance of strong, evidence-based prosecutions and the constitutional rights of all parties, I offer these policy suggestions to newly appointed PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III and the Department of Justice,” Valeriano, chairman of the House committee on Metro Manila development and a member of the House committee on good government and public accountability, said.

“These recommendations aim to help law enforcement agencies secure convictions through proper procedures, while upholding the rule of law and preventing guilty individuals from exploiting legal loopholes,” he added.

He said the PNP must have consistent rules on releasing mugshots of suspects to the public.

The Manila lawmaker also said media interviews of arrested suspects without the presence of their legal counsel should not be allowed, citing their right to remain silent and against self-incrimination.

“The presentation of suspects to the news media should be governed by strictly enforced rules that respect the rights of any suspect or accused as guaranteed by the Constitution. In areas where Filipino and English are not the mother tongue, the Miranda Rights should be read to suspects in the regional language or dialect in the locality of the arrest,” Valeriano pointed out.

He also proposed the inclusion of drug cases in the list of index crime statistics. Furthermore, there should be monthly public disclosure via social media or press briefings of city, town and provincial crime statistics.

“There has to be a public internet portal with updates on cases of hazing, rape, child abuse, deadly road crashes, murders, homicides and illegal drugs. This public portal will serve as a counter-measure against amnesia on cases that are sidelined with the passage of time,” he added.

He also said the PNP and the Department of Justice should guard against deliberate filing of incorrect charges by police officers whose intention is to have those charges dismissed for some reason.

“For example, cases that should only be grave physical injuries and grave threats are filed as attempted homicide or attempted murder. Juvenile suspects aged 15 to under 18 do not have an automatic exemption from arrest and the filing of criminal charges. The Supreme Court decision outlining guidelines for juvenile suspects should be enforced and followed by the PNP and the DOJ nationwide,” Valeriano said.

He also noted that some innocent drivers have been arrested or charged despite the existence of clear video evidence showing other motorists or pedestrians at fault.

He said the law on reckless imprudence has a qualifier that the police are ignoring or passing on to prosecutors.

“The DOJ’s rule against weak cases that will not stand up in court should remind the PNP that they must conduct proper case buildup based on strong physical evidence and unassailable testimony of witnesses,” he said.

“The DOJ itself has noted that cases are getting dismissed at a high rate (over 90 percent) due to inherent case weakness and poor police work,” he added.

All too often, Valeriano said cases are forgotten when media interest and the spotlight have waned or shifted elsewhere.