WATCH | Senators shine glare on epic fail in police intelligence funds

May 9, 2017 - 11:21 PM
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Dela Rosa Quiapo blasts
PNP Chief Dela Rosa acknowledges failure of police intelligence in the series of explosions in Quiapo district, Manila.

The Senate on Tuesday formed a committee to look into the disposition by the Philippine National Police (PNP) of its intelligence funds, especially in the wake of the three explosions that rocked the Muslim enclave in Quiapo district in the span of just a couple of weeks.

At the weekend, a contrite PNP Chief, Director-General Ronald dela Rosa could only acknowledge the apparent lapse in security measure: “We are very sorry. Nalusutan tayo. Hindi ako naghahanap ng alibi (This one slipped us by. I am not looking for an alibi).”

“We saw there was a failure of appreciation of intelligence. Our men were aware that there were indications of a security threat. They were advised almost everyday to do this, to do that, but, still, all this happened.”

Senator Panfilo Lacson, who used to be PNP chief, expressed dismay at the unfortunate development: “Especially considering they have more than PhP5 billion in intelligence funds. Was that insufficient to accomplish their job and thwart untoward incidents of this type? How could it happen that there was a failure of intelligence?”

The Senate formed an oversight committee to look into the matter.

For his part, Senator Gregorio Honasan said there was the possibility that the intelligence funds have not been used properly.

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