Mendoza turns 56, says PNP ready for new century

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Leandro Mendoza, who turns 56 today, has expressed confidence he will be leaving a police force better prepared to deal with 21st century crimes.

On the eve of his birthday, Mendoza said most of the primary goals he set out to do as leader of the 113,000-strong PNP have been accomplished.

Mendoza was scheduled to retire from the service on his birthday but President Arroyo extended his term to September for him to complete the reforms he instituted.

One of Mendoza’s pledges after being appointed by the President last year was to prepare the PNP in dealing with sophisticated criminals in the new century, including international terrorists, cyber crooks, money launderers and drug traffickers.

Even before he was named PNP chief, Mendoza put together and made into an effective fighting force the Philippine Center for Transnational Crimes, a branch copied by neighboring countries as the model for similar crime fighting units.

A second pet program was to institutionalize police welfare, particularly the adjustment of policemen’s salaries to decent levels.

"By July this year, the latest phase of salary adjustments shall have brought the pay scales of members of the police force at par with other government agencies and those in the private sector," he said.

Delayed pension adjustments and other benefits for retirees have also been paid for under Mendoza’s stewardship.

"Giving decent pay to cops is one legacy I can leave them," he said.

A third legacy that Mendoza wants to be remembered for is his efforts to re-orient the PNP as a protector of human rights.

"I have made it a point that we investigate and solve crimes to protect the human rights of the aggrieved and keep peace and order to prevent those who have tendencies to abuse the innocent," he said.

Bypassed twice to be the head of the PNP in the past, Mendoza was a key player in EDSA II, which put Mrs. Arroyo in power.

The soft-spoken Batangueño was also instrumental in preventing chaos and more bloodshed during the Labor Day attack on Malacañang last year as he ordered police mega-tolerance in dealing with the Estrada loyalists.