By BEN R. ROSARIO
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will hire additional 1,500 policemen next year but not for the purpose of squelching anti-Arroyo demonstrations which might intensify next year.
The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations disclosed that while government has requested for
R160.7 million to beef up the police force in the country, it failed to ask for additional funds to purchase new crowd dispersal and control gear under the proposed P1.05-trillion national budget.
Panel chairman Rep. Rolando Andaya said the Lower House is not convinced a single centavo should be allocated for the purpose of strengthening the capability of the police anti-riot squads.
"If the police will ask for it, the sentiment is to turn it down," Andaya, chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, claimed.
Andaya was quick to clarify that the purchase of new civil disturbance equipment and supply is not an item in the proposed PNP budget of P
35.6 billion for 2006.
"There is no item for civil disturbance gear in the PNP’s P
35.6-billion budget request for 2006 and I don’t think they will capitalize on the recent spate of rallies to requisition for more," Andaya said.
He explained that he was made to understand that there are enough truncheons, clubs, body padding, shields, and other equipment "to meet the demand."
"Besides, they have a huge reservoir of patience and negotiating skills to charm even the most hot-headed demonstrator out of a no-rally zone," he said.
Instead, the PNP wants additional 1,500 policemen to be distributed throughout the country.
Also included in its budget wish list is a
R50-million budget for the construction of new police stations.
"If they will ask money for, for example, rubber bullets, we’ll just tell them to organize seminars on anger management instead," Andaya said.
Andaya said "revenue stream" from new tax measures such as the Expanded Value-Added Tax law will soon be enjoyed by the PNP in terms of new transportation and communication equipment.
"There is a shortage of prowl cars and radio equipment," he said.
"After health and education, our police should be next in line in the recipients of "VAT dividends," he said.
