Effective small-unit leadership key in reforms — Eleazar
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar said one of his key thrusts is to ensure a continuing ‘reward and punishment’ program that would ferret out misfits and scalawags in the force but recognize and promote the deserving ones.
The 26th PNP chief explained that his Intensified Cleanliness Policy in the Ranks focuses not only on internal cleansing but also on reform programs that would shield the PNP from erring cops and bust the culture of wrongdoings among policemen.
He said this would be accomplished if there will be a real effective small-unit leadership in the organization. According to him, effective supervision will ensure good leadership by example down to the lowest units.
“Even if we have qualified new PNP personnel with the proper training, kung ang madadatnan naman nitong mga bagitong pulis ay mga kasamahang bad influence na magtuturo sa kanila ng mga maling sistema ng pangongotong, pagiging tamad, abusado at gahaman sa pera, wala ring mangyayari,” he admitted.
Officials said that police recruits are not being taught to be abusive, commit human rights violations and engage in criminal activities like ‘hulidap or bangketa’ activities while undergoing training. The reality is that these illegal activities are being learned by rookie policemen from their much elder colleagues, the veterans of the force who have already been accustomed to committing such irregularities in the past.
Eleazar, a member of Philippine Military Academy ‘Hinirang’ Class of 1987, have been given a good piece of advice by two former PNP chiefs who are now Senators of the Republic.
“Walk the talk and instill discipline without exception,” he was told by Sen. Panfilo ‘Ping’ M. Lacson of PMA ‘Matatag’ Class of 1971 and Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ M. dela Rosa of PMA ‘Sinagtala’ Class of 1986.
Lacson, a much respected PNP chief during the short-lived Estrada presidency, stressed the importance of “leadership by example” shortly after President Duterte designated Eleazar as the successor of Gen. Debold M. Sinas, also a member of PMA Class 1987.
“He should start with his own backyard, so internal cleansing precedes all programs. Instill discipline without exception. Once double standard gets in the way, all the efforts are doomed. Everything starts with the leader. It is called leadership by example. It is second to none,” Lacson said.
The senator also reminded Eleazar to “always bear in mind the two basic tests of character: Power and money.”
For his part, De la Rosa advised Eleazar to “continue what he has been doing.”
“Walk the talk and continue to lobby in Congress for legislation that would strengthen the Chief, PNP’s disciplinary power over his subordinates via a military-like internal disciplinary mechanism,” De la Rosa said.
Eleazar said his Intensified Cleanliness Policy in the Community meanwhile will focus on peace and order problems in the neighborhood.
“Halos lahat ng krimen ay nag-uumpisa sa maliliit na bagay. Magsisimula ito sa simpleng paglabag ng ordinansa gaya ng pag-inuman sa kalye. Kapag nalasing ay maghahanap ng away at mambabastos ng kababaihan hanggang mauwi sa seryosong krimen gaya ng patayan. Kapag ganyan, malaki na ang problema,” he said.
The PNP chief also assured the public that he will see to it that there will be an improved Complaint Referral and Monitoring System under his leadership.
“I assure our kababayans that once you report your concerns, it is considered as a direct order from me as the Chief of the Philippine National Police to all police stations and units to respond and give immediate actions. Sumbong mo, aksyon ko!,” he said.
He also said that he is also pushing for an Illegal Drugs Clustering System which is like creating barangays within a barangay.
“Ang clustering ay maaaring ang existing sitios, puroks, condo buildings, subdivisions o kumpol ng kabahayan depende sa assessment ng Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC). Mas pinaliit ang lugar, mas madali ang pag-monitor ng galaw ng mga adik at pusher. At mas maraming cluster sa isang barangay, mas mabuti.,” he said.
Eleazar has proven to be the epitome of an excellent and professional police officer in his more than three decades of public service, forged in hard work, integrity, discipline and an unwavering sense of duty to serve and protect.
The 26th PNP Chief has actually excelled in all aspects of law enforcement, from intelligence and investigation to administrative operations, through his education, service record and work ethics.
Starting as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Philippine Constabulary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines up to his designation as PNP chief, Eleazar has proven his expertise and integrity in the performance of his mandate.
After earning his bachelor of Science degree and graduating cum laude, being fourth in the PMA Class of 1987, he held various posts including commanding officer of the Special Action Company of the Regional Special Action Force 4; Junior Officer of different PC companies in the Southern Tagalog Region; Chief of research in the PNP Directorate for Plans; and assistant administrator and later security officer at the PNP Computer Center.
He also served as operations officer, air and naval movement coordinator, and liaison officer of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) Civilian Police.
“At higit sa lahat ay nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginooong Maykapal sa pambihirang pagkakataon na ibinigay niya sa akin upang pagsilbihan ang aking kapwa Pilipino,” he said.
Eleazar will be the 26th PNP chief and the 2nd from the PMA Class 1987 after Gen. Debold M. Sinas.
A known disciplinarian who has developed a reputation for being very tough against rogues in uniform, drug traffickers and other criminals, Eleazar will be the 4th former National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief to head the PNP under the Duterte administration.
Before him, the other former NCRPO chiefs who became PNP chief since President Duterte won the presidency in 2016 were Gen. Oscar D. Albayalde and Gen. Camilo Pancratius P. Cascolan, both members of PMA ‘Sinagtala’ Class of 1986 and Gen. Sinas.
Eleazar also used to be a Quezon City Police District director and commander of the Police Regional Office 4-A in Calabarzon region before he was designated Metro Manila police chief in 2019.
He went on to become the PNP Chief Directorial Staff, PNP Deputy Chief for Operations and concurrent commander of the Joint Task Force COVID-19 Shield and later PNP Deputy Chief for Administration and concurrent commander of the Administrative Support for Joint COIVD-19 Task Force.
The 55-year old Eleazar will be retiring from the PNP this coming November 13.
