Former Police Colonel Royina Garma's revelations have exposed how former President Rodrigo Duterte systematically turned the Philippine National Police (PNP) into an instrument of violence, executing suspected drug dealers, users, and even civilians. Her sworn statement and testimony before Congress detailed how police officers were handpicked, groomed, shielded, and rewarded for carrying out extrajudicial killings, often targeting individuals linked—sometimes only tenuously—to the drug trade. Garma described how professional and duty-bound officers were marginalized or intimidated, either through reassignments or by being falsely labeled as protectors of drug syndicates.
This manipulation of power extended beyond formal structures, as informal networks of trust, such as connections formed in the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), (batchmates or mistah) hometown ties (kababayan), or shared religious beliefs (kapanalig), became more influential than rank or official position. A police major with close personal ties to Duterte or his associates could wield more power than a law abiding police general. This undermined the very foundations of the PNP, where power should have been determined by merit and rank, not personal connections.
The result was a police force that became synonymous with violence. The use of force was glorified, mechanisms of accountability were destroyed, and the processes for appointment and promotion were corrupted. The professionalism of the PNP was further eroded, replaced by a culture of impunity.
Thus, the impact of Duterte's war on drugs on the legitimacy of the PNP has been profound. Practices such as planting evidence, intimidating witnesses, falsifying reports, extracting false confessions, and justifying extrajudicial killings under the guise of "nanlaban" (encounter killings) became the norm. These practices, ingrained over Duterte's six-year term, are proving difficult to eliminate even three years into the Marcos administration. The same corrupt and violent tendencies persist, with continued reports of drug-related killings and other forms of police misconduct, despite official pronouncement that these are no longer the norms.
The challenge of police misconduct predates Duterte’s presidency, and efforts to reform the PNP were in place before his administration. However, Duterte’s war on drugs exacerbated these issues, pushing them to unprecedented levels of deviance and brutality. This raises the question: How can the PNP recover from the damage caused by Duterte’s war on drugs? How can it regain the trust of the public and restore professionalism within its ranks?
Though the road to reform will be long and difficult, there are several short-, medium-, and long-term interventions that can restore the PNP’s respectability and professionalism.
1. Accountability for Past Abuses
The first step in reforming the PNP is exacting accountability. Those who willingly participated in the murderous drug war must face justice. While many police officers resisted the pressure to engage in extrajudicial killings, even at the cost of being demoted, transferred, or labeled as drug protectors, others eagerly embraced the opportunity to rise in Duterte’s ranks. These officers, who actively sought promotion and favor by trading their professionalism for bloodshed, must be identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The Anti-Torture Act of 2009 (RA 9745) and the Administrative Code of 1987, which grant the Ombudsman authority to investigate and prosecute serious misconduct, must be fully utilized to hold these officers accountable.
2. Massive Retraining and Reeducation
A nationwide retraining program is essential. My own empirical research reveals that many police officers in the Philippines have forgotten or are unaware of the rights of suspects, proper investigative techniques, the appropriate use of force, and how to handle evidence properly. Duterte's war on drugs encouraged officers to take shortcuts—writing cut-and-paste narratives, falsifying reports, and disregarding due process. This has rendered many officers incompetent in basic investigative skills. Police retraining should focus on human rights education, investigative integrity, and accountability. The Human Rights-Based Policing (HRBP) model, which emphasizes upholding citizens' rights while maintaining public order, offers an excellent blueprint for such training.
3. Reforming Recruitment and Selection
The PNP’s recruitment and selection process, known for its *palakasan* (favoritism) system, has long been problematic. Many applicants use their connections in order to be offered a spot, even if they are the least qualified. Additionally, many individuals are drawn to the profession for the power and opportunities it provides for personal enrichment, rather than a genuine commitment to public service. Duterte’s war on drugs attracted individuals with abusive tendencies, those willing to kill without question. The recruitment process must be overhauled to ensure that only candidates with the right moral compass, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution skills are allowed to enter the force. Psychological evaluations and behavioral assessments should be mandatory and implemented seriously during recruitment to screen out individuals with violent or unethical tendencies.
4. Professionalizing the Promotion System
The PNP’s promotion system has also been plagued by political interference, with local mayors and governors exercising considerable influence over appointments. During Duterte’s administration, officers willing to engage in extrajudicial killings were rewarded with promotions, while more capable officers were sidelined. The Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998 (RA 8551) provides a framework for merit-based promotion, yet political interference remains rampant. The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) must strengthen the police promotion board, ensuring that promotions are based on merit, performance, training, and education. Political interference in police promotions must be minimized, and clear, transparent criteria for advancement must be enforced.
5. Addressing Structural Support Deficiencies
The PNP faces long-standing structural challenges. As mentioned by Garma, there are "realities on the ground" that force police officers to engage in malpractices. The police-to-civilian ratio is alarmingly high, and police stations are often underfunded, lacking operational budgets, transportation, and investigative tools. Many local police departments rely on local government units (LGUs) for support, leaving them vulnerable to political interference. Without adequate funding, police officers are often forced to fund their operations through unethical or illegal means, such as asking victims’ families for support or diverting seized drugs to finance future operations. Congress must address these issues by increasing the PNP’s budget, ensuring that police stations are adequately resourced and equipped to perform their duties without resorting to corrupt practices.
6. Adopting Modern Policing Practices
To restore legitimacy and professionalism within the PNP, modern, research-based policing practices must be introduced. Community Policing, which fosters close relationships between police officers and the communities they serve, has been shown to reduce crime and improve public trust in the police. In Japan, the *Koban* system—a community-oriented policing model—has been particularly successful. Additionally, Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) programs, which direct first-time, non-violent offenders to community rehabilitation rather than arrest and incarceration, have proven effective in reducing drug-related offenses. These modern approaches to policing could help rebuild public trust in the PNP and reduce the use of force.
The Philippine National Police faces an uphill battle in restoring its credibility and professionalism in the aftermath of Duterte’s war on drugs. Accountability for past abuses, massive retraining, recruitment and promotion reforms, increased structural support, and the adoption of modern policing practices are essential to this transformation. With sustained effort and comprehensive reforms, the PNP can recover from the damage and once again serve as a trusted protector of the Filipino people.
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