PNP Chief Denies Quota Arrests Policy
Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. firmly stated that there is no such thing as quota arrests policy within the police force. He emphasized this point shortly after taking command, addressing concerns raised by various groups about police practices under previous leadership.
Local leaders and community members have voiced worries about the alleged use of arrest numbers as a performance metric. However, Nartatez clarified that the PNP’s directives rely on accurate data and records, not arbitrary quotas.
Data-Driven Police Operations
During a recent press briefing at Camp Crame, the acting chief explained that arrest efforts are guided by intelligence from the Directorate for Intelligence and Detective Management (DIDM). “We have data on the number of wanted persons. How can we say that qu-quota-han sila? What we’re doing is we have these wanted persons and we should arrest (them),” Nartatez said.
Officials reported that police action focuses on apprehending individuals listed as wanted, rather than meeting a set quota. This approach ensures that police work aligns with lawful priorities and community safety.
Background: Previous Leadership’s Arrest Metrics
When Nartatez’s predecessor, Gen. Nicolas Torre III, took office in June, he mentioned that the number of arrests would factor into evaluating police officers’ performance. However, this directive raised alarms among human rights advocates.
The Commission on Human Rights warned that emphasizing arrest counts might encourage abuses or rights violations by law enforcement personnel. Despite this, Torre insisted there was no official quota and that officers must operate “within the ambit of the law.”
Leadership Transition and Policy Clarification
Nartatez assumed the role of acting PNP chief on August 26, following Torre’s sudden relief amid tensions with the National Police Commission. Since taking command, Nartatez has sought to reassure the public and police personnel that policies focus on lawful, data-backed operations rather than arbitrary targets.
Community members and human rights groups continue to monitor the situation, calling on the PNP to uphold respect for detainee rights and transparency in police performance measures.
For more news and updates on police policies, visit Filipinokami.com.
