ICPO open to civilian drivers for LGU vehicles

ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) is open to the Iloilo City Government’s proposal to provide civilian drivers for the Philippine National Police.

Police Col. Wilbert Parilla, Iloilo City police chief, clarified that civilian drivers could be assigned only to unmarked vehicles donated or provided by the local government unit and used strictly for administrative purposes.

Parilla said the arrangement could help maximize police personnel and allow them to focus on their primary law enforcement duties.

The city police chief said the proposal may be considered subject to existing rules and regulations, particularly for police personnel currently assigned to drive administrative or staff vehicles provided by the local government.

“We very much welcome and appreciate this initiative from the City Government. It is a form of support that can help us maximize our police personnel,” Parilla said.

He stressed that the proposed arrangement would not cover PNP-issued vehicles, marked police vehicles, patrol vehicles, or vehicles used for police operations.

Civilian drivers may be assigned to LGU-provided administrative vehicles used for official support functions, such as transporting police personnel for authorized activities outside headquarters.

Parilla said the arrangement could free police personnel from administrative driving duties and allow them to be deployed where their skills, training, and law enforcement functions are more needed.

Earlier, Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas expressed the city government’s intention to provide civilian drivers so police personnel assigned to administrative driving duties could instead focus on their core law enforcement responsibilities.

Section 7 of PNP Memorandum Circular No. 2015-002 states that “PNP-issued mobility assets shall be driven only by authorized PNP uniformed personnel in proper and appropriate uniform (GOA Uniform, Patrol Uniform, SAR Uniform, and Field Service Uniform) while unmarked mobility assets can be driven by permanent PNP personnel in civilian attire.”