PRO-7 expects stricter leadership under Albayalde

CEBU, Philippines – Police in Central Visayas are expecting a stricter leadership under newly-installed Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde.

But Police Regional Office-7 spokesperson Superintendent Reyman Tolentin said they are ready to welcome whatever new set of rules Albayalde would implement during his helm.

“Ang iyang giingon is internal cleansing. Pag sinabing internal cleansing, it is against the scalawags, so all kinds of discipline in the PNP, including wearing of uniforms, carrying yourself properly, giving courtesy, talking to the public, everything, it really boils down on discipline,” said Tolentin.

Albayalde, in his speech during the change of command ceremony in Camp Crame on Thursday, said strict discipline among the police will be one of his priorities, apart from an intensified campaign against criminality and illegal drugs, practical program for crime prevention and suppression, and strengthening public engagement.   On the aspect of discipline, Tolentin said the PRO-7 is encouraging its personnel to review their work ethics as early as now.

“We have to embrace it and review our ethics, our discipline sa pagsulod nato sa police because dili man ni atong trabaho relax-relax. It really involves discipline kay it costs lives kung wala kay disiplina,” he said.

“Ginamay nga butang, pag-duty, pagsul-ob og uniform, coming on time, alert og magabii. Walang tulugan. Those are part and parcel of our job. If that is the intent of the commander to implement it down the line, then whoever is affected, tanan, we will be bound to comply,” he added.

In addition, Tolentin expects more policemen involved in illegal activities to be relieved from their posts as part of the PNP’s efforts to cleanse its ranks.

“So along the way, there will be personnel nga siguro makasuhan or mataktak if they cannot cope up sa standards required by the new Chief PNP,” he said.

In his inaugural speech, though, Albayalde stressed that he will impose new rules fairly.

In fact, he said those cops who will perform their jobs well will be rewarded, while those “who betray their oaths and badges will be sanctioned.” —/JMD (FREEMAN)