Newly-appointed Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Juanito Victor 'Jonvic' Remulla will recommend 'structural reforms' to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Remulla said on Thursday, October 10, that he wants to make PNP more 'civilian in nature'.
"Reforms do not happen overnight. It is a process na gagawin, na kailangan maayos at ma-streamline yung process ng PNP," Remulla said during DZRH's Dos Por Dos.
These structural reforms include setting a merit and demerit system to ensure that only qualified PNP personnel will receive a promotion.
"Ang promotion kasi ngayon is based on palakasan. As long as wala kang kaso na matitindi, pwedeng ma-promote ka," the DILG chief remarked.
Remulla also stressed the need for a cultural shift among the ranks of the PNP.
He said that extrajudicial means of dispensing justice became acceptable in the PNP during the Administration of Former President Rodrigo Duterte and that system of justice continues until today.
"Kailangan nila ng change of mindset. Kailangan na ma-prosecute talaga at ma-determine kung sino ang nag-orchestrate sa (extrajudicial killings), at ma-weed out yung mga nag-participate diyan," Remulla said.
"Napakahirap nung naging normal na sa kanila. It became normal to take the law into their own hands," he added.
Remulla replaces Benjamin 'Benhur' Abalos Jr., who stepped down from the position after filing his certificate of candidacy to run for senator in the 2025 elections.
