Police should be true guardians

We congratulate National Police Chief Avelino Razon Jr. for instigating a scheme with which to prevent rogue cops from using their position to extort money from the public. Under a campaign called “Text Anti-Kotong”, a hotline was designated to make it possible for civilians to immediately report extortion cases. People may immediately text 0927-5151515 to alert higher police authorities on misdeeds done by members of the police force. The system will soon include multimedia message servicing, so that text reports can include footages of police extortion in action.

Times have changed so much. During my time, the policemen were considered as guardians in the neighborhood. When our family went on out-of-town trips, we would call the neighborhood police and ask him to look after the house. Now, we hear of some police moonlighting as members of kidnap-for-ransom gangs or Akyat Bahay gangs who are the first to raid an unguarded house. Now, there is a more apt term, “bantay salakay.” In my  time, there was no traffic and policemen would be present only when there are big crowds in an area. At present, distance is measured by traffic. More and more people buy cars but the roads are still the same, hence traffic continues to build up at certain hours of the day. We see policemen in every corner, but alas! Most of them wait for motorists to make a wrong turn so that kotongeros have the opportunity to extort money. There are still several instances lately that I have witnessed policemen huddling with the driver not to accost him for his violation, if any, but to mulct money. Hence, some people, especially in the metropolis, feel afraid rather than secure when policemen are in sight. Previous PNP chiefs implemented several measures to improve the image and performance of our local police force. They were required to finish college education as a condition for promotion and regularization. Their uniforms were changed to project a more professional look and they were required to engage in daily physical workouts to keep fit and trim (to remove protruding stomachs). They were prohibited from carrying guns at night and going to entertainment and night spots. Under the present PNP administration, PNP Chief Avelino Razon opines to give the 110,000 members of the police force a makeover, to look more like the friendly neighbors that they should be. He has ordered them to stop wearing expensive jewelry like gold necklaces, bracelets and rings hoping to change the public perception that they are corrupt. An initial 500 policemen were made to carry batons and whistles during their patrol, banning them from carrying assault rifles and with the strict order that handguns are to be used as a last resort.

The police system is one major factor that contributes to the general perception that there is rampant corruption in the country. Transparency International ranks the Philippines 131st in the global list, with a corruption perception index (CPI) of 2.5. Going back to the basics of police enforcement makes sense although the worsening nature of crime and violations may be putting law enforcers at a disadvantage with their lives at risk. New practices must be complemented with moral reformation and development programs to inculcate integrity and honesty, especially in public service, not only in law enforcement, but in all aspects of the government. If these programs are implemented successfully, we shall be making big strides in the fight against graft and corruption. We must strive to remove the perception of corruption in the whole country, in order to achieve true economic development.