The PNP created by RA 6975 and as amended by RA 8551 provided for a police force that is civilian in nature, and under the supervision of DILG. RA 8551
Section 2. Declaration of Policy and Principles. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to establish a highly efficient and competent police force which is national in scope and civilian in character administered and controlled by a national police commission
And yet we see police men dressed in Battle Dress Attire (not much different from the Armed Forces military) and them using excessive force in treating civilians. We overhear them saying "civilians" With the spate of police being seen killing civilians (of course they are few and isolated) some are led to conclude that police is not civilian in nature. DILG is one of the Departments having highest budget, the bulk going to salaries of policemen.
Is it because of the backing by the President to the police force? That he will send in the lawyers and pardon them in case they get cases for doing their job in the drug war.
There are some criticism over the complete control of the military of public health standards, whereas the health workers should be more capable of overseeing the tasks. All ready there are accusation of weaponisation by the police vs Covid 19
1. Arrests were made for violation of curfew
2. Military punishments were meted out;
Despite the military measures, cases continued to rise and many policemen were infected. It should be that the police will be called only if health workers orders can not be enforced.
The police must be civilian in nature, to serve and protect and leave its military garb behind.
