Malacañang on Wednesday belied supposed proposals to allow graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) to join the country's police force.
At a press briefing, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Constitution clearly states that the Philippine National Police (PNP) should be "civilian in character."
"Walang stand, so far, ang PNP on pagbabalik ng military sa o ang PMA graduates sa PNP because, if you notice, sa general provision ng Constitution, there will be one police unit, Philippine National Police, civilian in character. ‘Yan po ‘yung nasa Saligang Batas," Lacierda said.
The President's spokesperson was reacting to earlier statements reportedly made by PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac that the police force is considering the hiring of PMA graduates.
Lacierda, however, said that Sindac "categorically" denied making such statements.
"I had to ask the person who allegedly made that statement, and he categorically said he never advocated that position... He was just laying down the options," Lacierda said.
Article XVI, Section 6 of the 1987 Constitution states that, "The State shall establish and maintain one police force, which shall be national in scope and civilian in character."
The PMA is the primary institution in the country tasked to "instruct, train and develop" cadets for the military.
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