WHY ARE THERE TOO MANY ROGUE COPS IN THE PHILIPPINES?

WHY ARE THERE TOO MANY ROGUE COPS IN THE PHILIPPINES? It is a known fact that social transformation takes a very long time, and in many actual cases, it could even take several decades. That said, we may be impatient about the pace of the changes as they happen, but on the bright side, we should celebrate the fact that it is happening at all. As we talked about the transformation that is supposed to happen within the Philippine National Police (PNP), some might say that nothing is happening at all. I disagree with that, because I believe that many significant changes are happening, except that these are not appreciated or understood by the general public. It appears that there are too many rogue cops — the numbers alone seem to say so. From July 2016 to November 2025, a total of 9,027 police personnel were dismissed for misconduct, criminal activity, and drug-related offenses. During the same period, 32,698 officers were found guilty of administrative offenses and were penalized through suspension, demotion, salary forfeiture, and other sanctions. A PNP official had claimed that only around 5% of policemen are rogues. But let us put numbers into perspective. With about 228,000 police personnel nationwide, 5% already means roughly 11,400 erring cops. Is that not alarming for an institution whose mission is to enforce the law and protect the people? Yes, I commend the PNP for pursuing its so-called “internal cleansing.” Thousands have been dismissed. Hundreds more are punished every year. But the bigger question remains unanswered: But looking back, we should ask ourselves why do so many rogue cops exist in the first place? I do not want to sound simplistic, but I strongly believe the problem starts with recruitment. Are the psychological and psychiatric tests truly effective? Or are they treated as mere formalities? Should these tests be conducted only once in a lifetime, or should they be mandatory every year, considering the stressful and risky nature of police work? Another uncomfortable question: Are unqualified applicants being accepted because of connections? The culture of “palakasan” is not new. When entry into the police force is compromised, everything that follows is already poisoned. Then there is the issue of corruption incentives. Some rogue cops are involved in extortion, robbery, drugs, and other crimes because illegal money is fast and tempting. Salaries are fixed, but illegal income has no ceiling. Without strong deterrence, temptation will always win. What about accountability? The PNP has an Internal Affairs Service, but how strong is it really? How independent is it? Do lifestyle checks truly work, or are they selective? Why do some cases drag on for years while others move quickly? Why do some officers get dismissed while others get mere slaps on the wrist? The drug war legacy also played a role. Since 2016, police have been exposed to enormous power, big money, and dangerous temptations. At least 1,037 dismissed cops were linked to illegal drugs. That is not a small number — that is systemic failure. In the vernacular, we often call these cops “pasaway,” as if they are guilty only of minor misbehavior. But there is nothing minor about abuse of power, criminal collusion, or betrayal of public trust. Are we, including the government agencies supposed to oversee the police, taking these offenses too lightly? The PNP is supervised by the DILG and NAPOLCOM. Yet the problem persists year after year. Why? Is supervision weak? Political? Selective? Are those watching the police also being watched? Yes, thousands of rogue cops have been removed. That is a good start. But removing bad cops after damage is done is not enough. What we need is prevention, not just punishment. Recruitment must be stricter. Background checks must be deeper. Psychological evaluations must be continuous. Lifestyle checks must be real and regular. Internal affairs must be fearless and independent. Whistleblowers must be protected. And corrupt protectors within the system must be exposed. If even 1% of the police force is corrupt, that is already too many. What more 5%? The public does not need perfection — but it deserves trustworthy protectors, not armed threats in uniform. Until recruitment, accountability, and oversight are truly fixed, rogue cops will continue to exist — not as exceptions, but as symptoms of a system that still needs serious repair. Overall, we should be happy that some changes are happening in the PNP, considering its long history starting from the original Philippine Constabulary. Let's celebrate whatever success they have achieved so far, and let’s try to help them in whatever way we can. I would like to help also, if only I would know how. That is because their success is our success. RAMON IKE V. SENERES www.facebook.com/ike.seneres iseneres@yahoo.com senseneres.blogspot.com 09088877282/10-16-2026