Manila, Jan. 16 -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday expressed openness to a proposal to separate the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) from the agency to strengthen its disciplinary mechanisms.

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Melencio Nartatez Jr. said moves to strengthen the IAS are welcome - even if they involve fully separating it from the police organization.

Nartatez made the remarks in response to Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson's plan to file a bill granting the IAS independence from the PNP.

A former PNP chief, Lacson said the separation would give the IAS - a watchdog unit within the PNP that investigates officer misconduct - greater authority to address erring police officers.

Nartatez emphasized that removi...