Expect a better WPD — Bulaong

This year, a new Manila police force shall evolve.

This was the gist of the message of Western Police District (WPD) director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong at the 104th anniversary celebration of the WPD yesterday, as he vowed to cleanse the ranks of misfits and undesirables.

"Starting today, you will see big changes in the WPD as we intend to continue shaping the Manila police force by giving the public only the best service and above performance level of maintaining peace and order," Bulaong said.

The occasion, attended by First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., Presidential Assistant on Job Placement Luisito Lorenzo, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and Metro police chief Director Avelino Razon Jr., also marked the inauguration and blessing of the Manila police academy.

The academy, which will be called the WPD Training Center, shall provide training to Manila policemen in various aspects of their work, according to Bulaong.

First built in 1922 and re-established on July 29, 2002, the academy is part of the WPD’s sincere commitment to perform well, Bulaong added.

The WPD chief also commended his men for averting an attempted bombing of a bus on Dec. 24, which could have killed scores of civilians.

Bulaong also took to challenge a recent report by an international organization describing the Philippine National Police (PNP) as the country’s most corrupt institution.

"We, in the WPD take this as a very tough task to prove to each and everyone that the country’s police force is not full of rotten apples, as many have always believed," he said.

He admitted the challenge is not an easy task, but the WPD will strive more to change the bad image of the institution.

As an example, Bulaong said that in the last two years, the WPD has dismissed 36 policemen, suspended 41, forfeited the salary of 1,518 and reprimanded 212 cops for various offenses.

The WPD also launched yesterday the Smart-700PIT text hotline service as part of its goal to be more responsive to the public in need of immediate assistance.

Smart subscribers can access the text hotline service by keying in the word "WPD" (space) then the message and sending it to 700PIT (700748). The caller will then receive an automatic response indicating that the message had been recorded. They can also give the full details of information by calling the WPD hotline at 523-3378.

The hotline PIT stands for three main thrusts of the WPD — Patrol, Investigation and Traffic and order maintenance.

Some 90 police officials, civilians, barangay leaders, civic groups and a K-9 bomb-sniffing dog received appropriate honors and awards during yesterday’s program.

Meanwhile, the Manila City government and high-ranking officials of the country’s police force lauded the WPD for its continuing effort to enforce laws and encourage the district’s leadership to further improve its mandate.

Officials lauded Bulaong for revitalizing the WPD Training Center, which was restored in order to provide excellent police training to younger generation.

"I am proud of the Western Police District. I congratulate Gen. Pedro Bulaong for reviving the Manila Police Academy to continue upgrading the skills and further professionalizing the police force," Razon said in his speech.

Ebdane, who served as WPD chief from 1994 to 1996, acknowledged the unwavering support of the city government as well as the continuing endeavors of the PNP leadership to reform the force.

For his part, Mayor Atienza appealed to the police officers to fully enforce the laws and city ordinances in line with the city government’s goals to make Manila a safer place. – Nestor Etolle