A KNOWN ‘soldier’s soldier, newly-installed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, General Dionardo Bernardo has vowed to ‘walk the talk’ and truly lead by example as the country’s 27th top cop as he assured the continuity of the successful programs of his predecessors to fight criminality, drugs, terror and corruption.

“Hindi matatawaran ang tiwalang ibinigay ninyo sa akin, at ito ay ibabalik ko sa pamamagitan ng pag-aalay sa inyo ng serbisyong tapat, serbisyong may malasakit, at serbisyong mula sa puso na may #alagangcarlos,” the ‘powerhouse general and member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) ‘Maringal’ Class of 1988 said as he formally assumed the top PNP post from now retired Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar.

Carlos is a known ‘soldier’s soldier,’—a well-rounded officer, skydiver, scuba diver, Big Bike rider, a Special Action Force officer. He used to be a Quezon police director who went on to become a PNP spokesman, a PNP Aviation Security Group and PNP Highway Patrol Group director, a PRO8 director and later head of the PNP Directorate for Police-Community Relations.

He also became a PNP Director for Information Communications Technology Management, a head of the PNP Directorate for Integrated Police Operations-Visayas until he was picked by Gen. Eleazar to be the PNP Chief Directorial Staff last May 8.

The new PNP chief thanked President Rodrigo Duterte, Senators Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go and Ronald ‘Bato’ M. dela Rosa, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Ano and National Police Commission vice chairman Vitaliano N. Aguirre II for their trust and confidence in him.

“In my more than three decades of service, I must say I now face what could be the greatest challenge in my career as a police officer and public servant for these reasons,” he said in his assumption speech last Friday.

Gen. Carlos admitted that he has a big shoes to fill in as the successor of Gen. Eleazar whom he cited for his sterling leadership and hard work which won for the force a much better public trust and confidence.

He also admitted that another challenge is being at the helm of the police’s effort to help address the threats of COVID-19 and the new normal.

The new top cop said the Filipino people deserve nothing less that the best service from the PNP which is now busy preparing to help ensure an honest, orderly and peaceful 2022 national and local elections.

“I commit the remaining months of my service to performing my mandate, to serve and protect my countrymen with all the effort I can muster and with a full and sincere heart for service,” the PNP chief said.

VOW TO REALLY ‘SERVE AND PROTECT’

Gen. Carlos assured the country that he wants a fully professional force to carry on its job with all honest and dedication.

“Our battlecry, “to serve and protect” will remain louder and stronger than ever. Building on the gains of the past PNP administration, I will ensure that every member of the police force will remain on his toes in performing the PNP mandate as we continue to fight criminality, illegal drugs, insurgency and terrorism, and corruption without fear or favor and with greater might and vigor,” he said.

Gen. Carlos maintained that crime has been on a decline since 2016 as a result of the Duterte government’s war on drugs, giving him more reason to strengthen the anti-drug campaign.

“ While we are deeply grateful to the President and the past PNP leaderships and the supportive community for this achievement, we are not resting on our laurels, but are instead even more challenged to surpass the gains we have achieved, and provide a truly safe and peaceful environment where every Filipino can live and work without fear of crime or lawlessness in his heart,” he said.

Gen. Carlos told the Journal Group that he does not want to ‘reinvent the wheel’ in the PNP and instead will continue the noble programs of his predecessors.

Carlos bared a 4-point immediate action program that he will implement as Chief of the PNP: 1st is to ensure a peaceful and orderly 2022 elections; 2nd is to continue the PNP programs on anti-criminality, anti-illegal drugs and anti-corruption; 3rd is to develop and empower the Area Police Commands; and 4th is to continue the policies, programs and projects of the previous chiefs of the national police chiefs under the Duterte administration.

“As our nation is once again turning a new page in its history with the forthcoming national elections and I now lead the PNP in ensuring the orderly and peaceful exercise of our people’s right to vote, We will focus on the task ahead to Plan, Prepare, Perform for Peaceful Elections in May 2022,” Gen. Carlos said.

“Sisiguruhin natin na hindi masasayang ang boto ng ating mga kababayan at magtatagumpay ang ating halalan na walang bahid ng karahasan at katiwalian, he added

Carlos vowed to “implement even more strongly our Enhanced Managing Police Operations programs against criminality and our Double Barrel Finale “Version 2021” against illegal drugs. “We will improve these programs as necessary and introduce further reforms as needed as we strive to make more potent these tools against crime and illegal drugs,” he said.

Himself a former PNP Area Police Command Director for Visayas, Gen. Carlos said the fight against insurgency, terrorism and the dismantling of private armed groups will receive a new shot in the arm as the police force prepare for the national elections.

“We will further develop and strengthen our Area Police Commands to make our operations on the ground more focused and aggressive as we strive to further deny insurgents, terrorists and private armed groups the opportunity to sow terror in our communities,” he said.

Under his command, Gen. Carlos said the PNP will not be remiss in continuing the reforms that have been started by past administrations, the programs that have been initiated and the policies that are being strengthened in the organization, citing the Intensified Cleanliness Policy, fiscal transparency and accountability, and Body Mass Index Program.

“Our battle cry, “to serve and protect” will remain louder and stronger than ever. Building on the gains of the past PNP administration, I will ensure that every member of the police force will remain on his toes in performing the PNP mandate as we continue to fight criminality, illegal drugs, insurgency and terrorism, and corruption without fear or favor and with greater might and vigor, Gen. Carlos emphasized.

“The Filipino people deserve nothing less than the best service from the PNP, I commit the remaining months of my service to performing my mandate, to serve and protect my countrymen with all the effort I can muster and with a full and sincere heart for service, “ the new PNP chief said.