New PRO-7 chief vows to end ‘hulidap’

CEBU, Philippines — Police Brigadier General Jerry Fornaleza Bearis targets to eradicate "hulidap," illegal gambling, and illegal drug operations involving Central Visayas police personnel in his term.

This as he formally assumed post as the new chief of the Police Regional Office (PRO) Region 7 on Tuesday, December 20.

Hulidap comes from words "huli" or catch and "hold up," which refers to police officers staging an arrest to extort money from innocent civilians.

In his speech during the ceremonial turnover of office at the PRO-7 headquarters, Bearis said he will ensure police will adhere to the "no take policy" in accordance of the Republic Act 6713 otherwise known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Under the law, public officials and employees shall not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties or in connection with any operation being regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office.

"These are not part of our team (erring police officers). We must immediately have them remove to bring back the nobility of our Philippine National Police Organization," said Bearis.

Meanwhile, outgoing PRO chief Police Brigadier General Roderick Augustus Alba thanked the Region 7 police for their outstanding performance within his almost two months of leadership.

He showcased some of his achievements such as the recent increase of PRO 7's rank during October's Unit Performance Evaluation Rating (UPER) from rank 15 to rank 5.

He also mentioned the sector's recent milestone ranking first in a four-day anti-illegal drug campaign last November and PRO-7 having the highest crime drop nationwide recently.

He urged Central Visayas police to give Bearis the same support and cooperate in his recent endeavors.

Bearis, on the other hand, vowed to continue Alba's existing programs such as the 4Cs (Connectivity, Critical Thinking, Capability Enhancement and Cleansing), among others.

Before he was hailed as the new PRO director, Bearis served several positions at the PNP such as being the chief regional staff of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Deputy District Director for Administration for the Eastern Police District (NCRPO), and Deputy Director for Administration for the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG).

He graduated from the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in class 1993.

Alba will now be assigned at the Directorate for Human Resource Development Division in Camp Crame. —Romeo D. Marantal (FREEMAN)