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MANILA, Philippines – Rappler talked to former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and ex-senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.
On March 15, 2015, the former senator took to social media to express support for the Philippine National Police Board of Inquiry (PNP-BOI), which came out with a report that displeased President Benigno III. After a month-long investigation into the January 25 bloodbath in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, the BOI said the President violated the chain of command in the PNP in the weeks leading to the operation.
Lacson said the President should explain why he did not involve PNP officer-in-charge Police Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, and instead dealt directly with suspended PNP chief Alan Purisima and Special Action Force commander Getulio Napeñas during the planning and execution of “Oplan Exodus.”
The Mamasapano incident has become the worst crisis to hit the Aquino administration. What is its impact on the 150,000-strong PNP? How is troop morale following the BOI report and Aquino’s reaction to it? What’s the state of affairs now at Camp Crame as officials continue to wait for the President’s decision to finally appoint a new PNP chief?
Lacson, as former chief of the PNP who rose from the ranks, witnessed the many transitions in the young police organization, which was created in the 1990s after the merger of the Integrated National Police with the now-defunct Philippine Constabulary.
What does it take to follow the principle of unity of command? How did Lacson, for example, observe the chain of command in the field and especially in crucial operations?
Watch Lacson’s interview here. – Rappler.com
Click here for the audio-only version:
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