NAPOLCOM chief tells ICPO: ‘We’re partners, not enemies’

By Jennifer P. Rendon

National Police Commission Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan told Iloilo City police personnel that NAPOLCOM’s role as an oversight body should not be viewed with fear, stressing that the agency works with the Philippine National Police in public service.

Dealing with NAPOLCOM, which has the authority to discipline, suspend or dismiss police officers, can cause anxiety among some PNP members, Calinisan said, but he added that it should not be the case.

“Ang NAPOLCOM ay kakampi ninyo, hindi kaaway. Hindi kami mga hari—kami ay mga partners ninyo sa serbisyo,” Calinisan said during his visit to the Iloilo City Police Office headquarters at Camp Achilles Plagata on Feb. 7.

Calinisan reiterated that NAPOLCOM exists because of the PNP.

“Kaya magtulungan tayo,” he said.

Calinisan was received during the visit by Brig. Gen. Josefino Ligan, Western Visayas police director.

Also present was ICPO officer in charge Col. Wilbert Parilla.

During his “talk to men” with ICPO personnel, Calinisan highlighted NAPOLCOM’s role as a partner of the police organization in public service.

He also emphasized the importance of the Community and Service-Oriented Policing system as a key strategy in preventing and addressing crime, sustaining peace and order, and strengthening public trust and confidence in law enforcement.

Community and Service-Oriented Policing is a collaborative approach in which police, local government units and the public work together to proactively solve problems, improve public safety and deliver better services.

Calinisan described the approach as a shift from reactive law enforcement to community partnership and shared responsibility, with crime prevention addressed by looking at root causes and building trust with the community.

The visit concluded with an executive meeting attended by Ligan, NAPOLCOM 6 regional director Benjamin de Ausen Florentino, NAPOLCOM 6 assistant regional director Atty. Joseph Celis, and members of the ICPO command group and staff.