NEW PNP CHIEF CALLS FOR COUNCIL OF ELDERS

Deputy Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., newly designated
officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police (PNP), batted yesterday
for the establishment of a Council of Community Elders to promote
consultations with the civilian sector as part of a multi-approach to
combatting criminality in the country.

Ebdane also batted for the retention of the National Anti-Kidnaping Task
Force (NAKTAF) despite a recent order from President Arroyo to disband the
group along with the National AntiCrime Commission and other task forces in
the PNP.

Ebdane said that he will promote consultations with the various sectors of
the civilian community to get inputs and innovative ideas in line with the
government's overall efforts to neutralize criminals.

He also welcomed President Arroyo's announcement that Davao City Mayor
Rodrigo Duterte will now head a consultative body on peace and order to
help the police fight criminals.

Ebdane said that the inclusion of politicians in the proposed Council of
Community Elders will be avoided to prevent the thrust of the consultative
body from being tainted with selfish political motives.

The former chief of the NAKTAF was briefed by top officials of the PNP led
by Deputy Director General Rex Piad, chief of the PNP Directorial Staff;
Director Edgar Galvante, PNP deputy chief for operations; and Director Rey
Velasco, PNP comptroller, at the National Police headquarters in Camp
Crame, Quezon City yesterday.

The command briefing which was held at the PNP Headquarters Conference Room
was also atatended by regional directors and officials of the PNP national
support group based at Camp Crame.

"We will welcome suggestions from civilian populace on how to improve our
peace and oreder siuation," Ebdane said.

The formation of the Council of Community Elders and the retention of
NAKTAF will be among the proposals to be discussed in the First Summit on
Peace and Order slated on Tuesday next week.

In the forum, Ebdane said that they will also discuss the specific role of
Duterte in the government's overall peace and order efforts.

Ebdane said that he favors the retention of the NAKTAF "since its equipment
and personnel are already focused on anti-kidnaping operations by organized
crime syndicates."

Unlike in the previous set up when NAKTAF and NACC were both under the
supervision and control of the Office of the President, Ebdane said that
his proposed NAKTAF will be under the Office of the Chief PNP.

During the turnover ceremonies for Ebdane last Thursday, Arroyo ordered the
new PNP leadership to prioritize the neutralization of kidnap-for-ransom
groups and drug syndicates. She also told Ebdane that she will hold him
directly responsible for the success or failure of the police efforts
against kidnap gangs and drug syndicates.

Shortly after his appointment as PNP Deputy Chief for Administration,
Ebdane also pressed for the retention of the Presidential Anti-Organized
Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) to combat kidnap-for-ransom gangs.

The PAOCTF, nevertheless, was ordered dissolved by President Arroyo after
several of its former head, then PNP chief Director General Panfilo Lacson,
and several of its officials and personnel were linked to various criminal
activities including drug trafficking and kidnaping.