Leadership failure in the PNP

Why can’t the Philippine National Police shake off the negative image that has been hounding it for so long? No matter what it does, the image of this institution seems to be getting worse every year. Someone must save it.

But where is the Chief? Why is he hiding? Why can’t he speak up and show us a will of ‘force’? If a leader cannot face up to the problem, then that is even a bigger problem. This is bad leadership! A leader should not hide or run away from issues or concerns affecting his men and the institution he heads. A leader must face up to the people. As the saying goes, “no guts, no glory.” He must not create suspicion amongst the public. His truthfulness is essential to the force and to the senior officers lest he be seen unfit to exercise his responsibilities as chief.

Police officers play a vital role in the law enforcement system. Their first order of business is to serve and protect. They should monitor and investigate criminal activities like detectives; take part in surveillance of communities which include drug prevention, education and road safety; respond to emergency calls; and make arrests. They should help create better rapport between law enforcement agencies and the citizens.

The Performance Governance Report of the PNP (of March 2013), cited 2012 accomplishments and the P.A.T.R.O.L. (Peace and Order Agenda for Transformation and upholding of the Rule of Law) Plan for 2030. Among their accomplishments were: the delivery of procured 74,600 units of short firearms and the procurement of 60,715 units long firearms; the construction of 24 police stations; Barangay Peacekeeping Operations, Police Integrated Patrol System, Case Investigation Management Program, Enhanced and Standardized Recruitment Program, Personnel Discipline Program, Capability Enhancement Program, percentage reduction of crimes perpetrated by motorcycle-riding criminals and percentage reduction of crime incidents involving the use of firearms to name a few.

The same report stated that for the period September 2012 to January 2013, 0.41% of the PNP personnel were penalized for administrative offenses. Furthermore, the PNP through the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management and the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management enforced disciplinary policies and programs to the fullest, to eradicate the involvement of the PNP personnel in criminal and administrative crimes. I wonder if PNP generals are also subjected to these disciplinary policies.

Now if this report were all factual and true, then the PNP wouldn’t have such a bad image after all. But why does its system continue to fail us? Even if they continue to report numerous accomplishments but the public doesn’t see nor feel any change, these reports become nothing more than a litany of beautiful sounding words with no evident proof that truly we have a police force that is working and living up to their mandate of protecting the citizens.

The recent high-profile robbery carried out in broad daylight along EDSA caused a serious blow on the integrity of the police force. On January 2013, thirteen police officers and policemen faced administrative and criminal charges because of the Atimonan shooting incident. These incidents and many more add to the long list of crimes where police officers are directly involved including robbery, drugs, extortion, kidnapping and masquerading illicit activities as legitimate police operations.

 I think the PNP’s serious efforts to cleanse its ranks of rogue cops is not enough. Cleansing must be done from top to bottom. The PNP needs a serious leader. One who will stay for more than 2 years as chief. Constant change of guard at the PNP has done more harm than good to the institution.

I know for a fact that the training of a neophyte police officer is coarse and harsh. Their spirit is already impacted inside the training grounds by the system. Something has to change so that we can elevate the spirit of the “new” policemen. I know of several young men who entered the Philippine National Police Academy in Silang, Cavite. They told me about all the horrifying moments while training and what they have become because of these. They said “matira ang matibay.” These neophytes harden their core in the wrong way because they are maltreated, maligned and their spirits broken. So when they succeed, their motivation is to destroy because they are mad. They will get back at the system by being corrupt and enriching themselves with the power that they worked hard for. Those who have friends and relatives (or connections) inside the PNP force do not go through the ordeal. They are protected. But those who enter the force independently feel like death awaits them. What a sad journey. I hope the PNP leaders realize that this is one of the major roots of evil.

Police officers must always give a professional impression to the public. They must be well-groomed, polite and courteous. They are our guardians and enforcers of the law, thus, they should know how to talk and answer questions with civility and tact. They cannot afford to go on a rampage while preventing a hostile situation or deciding on what action to take when faced with a crime.

Aside from physical courage, an officer must have moral courage too. This means strength of character, to be able to make difficult or unpopular decisions. He must stand by the principles of the force and must be impartial in executing his duties. He must change that mentality of serving his families and friends. He must avoid being influenced by the generals (senators, congressmen, cabinet officials, mayors or their wives) in the conduct of his duties.

I remember an incident just this year which I also wrote about, a SOCO official who had an encounter with one of my drivers. This officer showed arrogance and conceit thinking she can get away with her power as a PNP officer. It was obvious that she manipulated and twisted the investigation until I wrote about it in this column. Her boss called her and was embarrassed about the whole situation so she humbled herself and kissed the ground so to speak. I feel bad for victims of government officials who have no voice. Life is hard and unfair.

I encountered a PNP traffic enforcer who would diligently and efficiently do his work in apprehending traffic violators. One time, he called the attention of a woman who was double-parked. The woman got upset and called her husband who happens to be a PNP general. The general wanted to talk to the enforcer. The enforcer politely declined and said that there was no need for him to talk to the husband and for the woman to just follow the rule. All this enforcer wanted was for her to move her vehicle because she was illegally parked. The following day, the traffic enforcer was recalled to his headquarters and was never seen again. So, is this the trend? When a PNP personnel does something right but has stepped on the shoes of the powerful and mighty, he is easily punished? Sanamagan!

There will always be good cops and bad cops. Sadly, we have more of the latter these days. Whatever happened to the once feared and revered Philippine National Police?