Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, deputy chief for Operations of the Philippine National Police (PNP), warned newly recruited policemen from using their uniform to enrich themselves of money from illegal drugs and other criminal activities.
In his speech during the recognition ceremony of almost 300 rookie cops who graduated from their mandatory training supervised by the police’s elite Special Action Force (SAF) in Pampanga on Friday, Eleazar said disciplinary measures are now being institutionalized both to catch and punish policemen who would engage in illegal activities.
“Our Chief PNP, General Archie Gamboa, is now initiating and institutionalizing reforms to professionalize and preserve the integrity of the police organization,” said Eleazar.
On the same day that Eleazar was delivering his speech, Gamboa met with most of the 357 policemen whom he summoned earlier to confront them of allegations that they are involved in illegal drugs.
The 357 cops, including a senior officer with a rank of Brigadier General, are on the drug watchlist of President Duterte.
Gamboa had requested that he deal with the 357 cops by promising to finish all the investigation on them in one month, starting Monday.
Aside from the threat of being dismissed and being jailed, Eleazar said policemen do not actually have the reason to engage in illegal activities due to the increase on salary and other benefits of policemen.
As a senior officer, Eleazar also advised the rookie cops on what to do if they encounter temptations of earning dirty money when their deployment starts: Always look at the PNP logo and read the motto written in their uniform.
“In times of challenges, I advise you to look at the patch of the PNP in our uniform and reflect on the true meaning of the three words written there: Service. Honor. Justice,” said Eleazar. (Aaron Recuenco)
