Walk the talk!

There is a new PNP chief, Police Major General Benjamin Acorda Jr. In his inauguration speech, he promised to continue the campaign of General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. to clean the ranks of the PNP. That’s all well and good, it's just that we have heard that promise made by almost every sworn-in PNP chief over the years which by now has made the people numb. I doubt if the people will expect that cleansing of the ranks to happen. Acorda will serve as PNP chief for eight months. Often, there lies the problem. Reforms or programs a PNP chief wants to implement are not given enough time to see them through. I remember the reforms of former PNP chief General Guillermo Eleazar. His term was too short for the reforms he wanted.

In fairness, Police Major General Acorda Jr.’s record is stellar. He quietly served in all the assignments given to him. There are no controversies associated with him. Having said that, the first thing he needs to address is the controversy left behind by Azurin regarding the capture of Rodolfo Mayo and the biggest drug bust in the history of the PNP. According to DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., it seems that there is a cover-up going on regarding Mayo's capture. It was also revealed there were "ninja cops" or police officers skimming from the drug haul and reselling them from within the Drug Enforcement Group itself. That's a big issue that Acorda needs to address.

Every time there is a new PNP chief, people hope there will be real reform in the PNP. But sad to say that usually doesn't happen. There are still scalawags. Those dazzled by easy money. Surprise lifestyle checks on policemen who seem to live luxuriously should be done. Those who seem to be living well beyond their means. Some have ostentatious displays of wealth but seem to evade the prying eyes of the PNP institution. I have always seen the PNP as a fraternity where “my brother, right or wrong” is religiously practiced.

Major General Acorda Jr. has only eight months to walk his talk. He retires this December. He should also continue the war on illegal drugs although I don’t know why that should even be said. He should look into the arrest of Mayo and the “ninja cops”. Secretary Abalos has a lot of evidence to back up his claim. Former PNP chief General Azurin seems to have ignored all of this by his initial silence. As his retirement draws nearer, he said the DILG secretary may be receiving the wrong information. Convenient.