By Aaron Recuenco
From now on, newly-recruited policemen must undergo a police commando-type basic training before they are given assignments as the new leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) tried to breathe discipline to the national police force.
Newly-installed PNP chief Director Oscar Albayalde said his move is to ensure that discipline will be instilled to every new cop, both non-commissioned officers Police Officer 1) and commissioned officers (Police Inspector).
Outgoing Chief PNP Ronald Dela Rosa salutes to the newly installed Chief PNP Oscar Albayalde in front of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during the PNP Change of Command ceremony and Dela Rosa’s retirement rites at Camp Crame in Quezon City, Thursday. (ALVIN KASIBAN / MANILA BULLETIN)
“All our recruits and new officers shall be required to undergo standard SAF training before they get deployed in the different regions,” said Albayalde in his speech Thursday.
Albayalde, who assumed the top PNP post in a turnover ceremony presided by President Duterte at Camp Crame in Quezon City, used to be a member of the Special Action Force (SAF) in his junior officer years.
He said that based on his observations, those with SAF training are more disciplined compared to those who only underwent basic training.
The PNP, however, is not the agency which trains newly-recruited cops, including cadets from the PNP Academy, as it is being done by the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC).
“We shall impose and breathe discipline 24/7 and implement reforms in all levels in the PNP. First, we will show respect both to ourselves and to the public. Because genuine public service I believe is anchored on respect,” said Albayalde.
“Self-respect is what guide our morals as individuals and our collaborative action as an organization – we wear our uniforms properly and with pride, we do not sleep while we are on duty, and we do not betray our oath of office by engaging in illegal activities,” he added.
This is a proper way, according to Albayalde, to make sure that every policeman is worth the big salary increase that was implemented in January this year.
“If we want to win the trust of the Filipino people who pays our salary – which the President doubled recently – we will serve with all honesty, honor, and integrity,” said Albayalde.
The new PNP Chief also instructed all regional directors and provincial commanders to conduct regular inspections on all police stations, similar to what he did when he was still the director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
By doing so, Albayalde said the PNP leadership would be able to ensure that every policeman would work well.
“As much as I enjoy conducting surprise inspections, I may not be able to reach all of our 2,766 police stations nationwide. So I expect our Provincial and City Directors to conduct these surprise inspections to regularly assess the operational readiness of our forces on the ground. I will be accessible 24/7 and I expect all our commanders to be accessible any time of the day too,” said Albayalde.