DILG chief wants to shake up PNP

FORMER Cavite governor Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday said making the Philippine National Police (PNP) a more effective and cohesive police force, restructuring the National Police Commission (Napolcom), and ensuring the safety of all candidates for next year's elections are his top three priorities as secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

These concerns were raised during his long meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after he was chosen to replace Benhur Abalos, who resigned to run for senator in the 2025 midterm elections.

«Well, I actually start work tomorrow (Wednesday) morning to meet with the undersecretaries. And I will spend the first week meeting with all the heads of department and go over the courses of action that I have to take,» Remulla said in an interview at the Villamor Air Base following the departure of the President for Vientiane, Laos, for the 44th and 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summits.

«I will review their records, and I will review the records of the department. And then I will make the major policy announcements maybe next week, early next week,» he added.

Remulla said he sees the PNP as his biggest challenge because «there is also a lot of competition and politics inside,» which has to be addressed.

«The rogue cops can be easily dealt with. It's a matter of enforcement. But the politics is much more difficult. You're talking about everyone trying to find a solution from imperfect people,» he said, adding that a possible reshuffle within the organization solely remains the call of the President.

«I will make recommendations, but it's the President's call… I think we're top-heavy. I think we need to streamline the organization. I think that there are many superfluous positions in the institution. And I think there's a lot of change that needs to be done… As a matter of course, leadership changes in the PNP every year because of retirement. So that's the least of our worries,» he added.

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Remulla also committed to personally ensure that all operations of all Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) will cease by December, as previously ordered by the President.

Pres