Eleazar vows PNP reforms

Newly-installed Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar on Friday vowed to intensify efforts to cleanse the 220,000-strong force, starting from recruitment to the appearance of lawmen in the communities.

Eleazar, who has been overseeing PNP operations related to the Covid-19 pandemic, also issued a stern warning of arresting violators of the health protocols.

He succeeded former PNP Chief Debold Sinas.

In his assumption speech, Eleazar ordered the activation of an “intensified cleanliness policy” aimed at the force to look better before their communities.

Eleazar also outlined more plans to eventually rid the force of scalawags — the PNP’s decades-old concern that affects its drive to gaining public trust.

Eleazar said the PNP will adopt a “nameless and faceless” recruitment process to prevent ill-mannered hopefuls from joining the force using “padrinos” (backers) that are, usually, ranking police officials themselves.

Under this process, police applicants will be given quick response (QR) codes that contain only their qualifications, he said.

Eleazar vowed to shut out even his own friends, relatives, or colleagues who may want to enter the force.

He assured that successful recruits will be given a better environment to grow in, through punitive actions against their seniors who are involved in illegal activities.
“To the remaining hoodlums in uniform, I’ll make sure that you will hate me… I believe in giving a second chance, but this is limited to those who only have minor infractions,” he said.
His statement was backed by Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano, who urged the new PNP leader to purge the force of scalawags, misfits, and ineffective personnel.
Eleazar, the 26th PNP top man, is known for his hands-on style of instilling discipline and confronting the erring lawmen, especially during his time as the director of the National Capital Region Police Office.