Many were Chinese Filipinos, whose big bank accounts make them favorite targets. Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jaime Sin believes that unless the government shows it is serious about fighting cop crimes, people will take the law into their own hands. But even his boss, Secretary Alunan, told AsiaweeKk that the PNP's numbers don't add up. That's because many believe that even if the police aren't involved in crimes, they're often incompetent or just lazy. And even someone as well-connected as Visayas Congressman Manuel Roxas couldn't rouse the Makati police last month to search for his stolen Pajero van.
Critics agree that part of the problem is that the force is undermanned, underpaid and underpowered.
To better its record, say local analysts, the police could use about 35,000 more officers. Mercado's committee is considering a bill that would raise police wages and create an internal affairs department. But even Mercado worries that such cosmetic improvements don't address a deeper problem. Of Metro Manila's five police districts, all but one is headed by a former PC officer. If it were just a matter of military men leading a civilian force, the situation might be tolerable.