Police, military honor JPE’s ‘consequential role’

SENATE IN MOURNING The Philippine flag flies at half-staff outside the Senate building in Pasay City on Friday as the chamber mourns the passing of former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who died Thursday at age 101. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA/PPA POOL

The Philippine National Police paid tribute to the late chief presidential legal counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, describing him as a key figure in the “push for the police force’s professionalism” when he served as defense minister and Senate president.

“As the head of the Ministry of Defense at that time when the national police force was still under the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Manong Johnny played a key role in pushing for professionalism and improving the operational capability of the then [Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National Police],” Acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in the statement on Friday.

“But, it did not end there as he was also instrumental in providing all the necessary support to make the Philippine National Police what it is today—both as a senator and chief presidential legal counsel,” he added.

Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile —ALBERTO ALCAIN/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

‘Enduring debates’

The 101-year-old Enrile died on Thursday after being hospitalized for pneumonia.

The PNP will fly the Philippine flag at half-staff at its headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, on Monday in Enrile’s honor, Nartatez said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines also issued a statement on Friday honoring Enrile’s “years of service and the enduring debates about his legacy, which form part of our national history.”

“The AFP extends its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones,” the AFP said.

“Across decades of public service, he played a consequential role in the nation’s security and political life, serving as Secretary of Justice (1968-1970) and Secretary/Minister of National Defense (1970-1971; 1972-1986), before returning to the legislature, where he later became President of the Senate (2008-2013),” it added.

Enabler of ‘state terror’

While the uniformed services heaped praise on the veteran politician and legal luminary, activist groups chose to highlight Enrile’s past as architect of martial law during the first Marcos administration.

As Marcos’ defense minister, “(he) utilized to the hilt the military and police’s role as instruments of state terror,” said the Samahan ng mga Detainee laban sa Detensyon at Abuso (Selda).