Complaint prompts review of PNP ‘force multipliers’
These so-called force multipliers better not give cause additional headaches for the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The PNP’s Highway Patrol Group (HPG) on Tuesday said it would take legal action against a group called HPG Force Multiplier Inc. (FMI) for allegedly collecting fees from at least 500 members nationwide while questionably using the traffic unit’s initials and logo.
“This goes beyond their duties as a force multiplier,” HPG spokesperson Lt. Nadame Malang told reporters at Camp Crame. “We will be filing a regular case against this group.”
“They use a uniform that resembles the PNP-HPG logo. On some of these logos, ‘HPG’ is very prominent, while the ‘FMI’ at the bottom is barely visible,” Malang added.
Force multipliers, in law enforcement lingo, refer to civilian groups tapped by the government for certain functions to enhance visibility, monitoring, emergency response and other services, especially in areas in need of additional government personnel.
With an investigation under way, Malang said, HPG Director Brig. Gen. William Segun had ordered a review of all agreements with these groups to check their compliance with the PNP guidelines.
Suspended registration
According to Malang, the group was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and worked with the HPG beginning 2010.
But the group’s SEC registration was later suspended, the PNP official said without providing details.
Earlier this month, the PNP received a complaint from Antique province against FMI questioning its collection of fees — P350 for ID cards, for P750 for membership and uniform — from members. Similar reports also cropped up in the Cagayan Valley and Calabarzon regions.
‘Contributions’, not fees
In a phone interview with INQUIRER.net on Tuesday, FMI President Susan Caballes denied allegations of irregularity, saying the group continued to operate within its mandate.
“We don’t have unauthorized fees. We do ask for contributions from our members, but not for the purposes (stated in the complaint). It’s lower and I think it’s reasonable,” she added.
As to the suspension of the group’s SEC registration, she said it happened when the group was still based in Calabarzon and that FMI had applied for a ”renewal” in April, this time as a national organization.
As to the FMI’s use of the PNP-HPG logo, she said: “What the PNP HPG got was outdated… We had it changed when the (National Police Commission) said it was no longer allowed. We had our own logo.”
