FORMER Philippine National Police chief-turned-senatorial candidate Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar on Saturday was conferred an Outstanding Achievement Award by the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association, Inc. (PMAAAI) during the PMA alumni homecoming in Fort del Pilar in Baguio City.

The retired 4-star police general accepted the award together with his fellow cavaliers who were also recognized for their public service, achievements, and contributions in their respective fields.

His co-awardees include Partido Reporma presidential candidate, Senator Panfilo ‘Ping’ M. Lacson who also happened to be a former PNP chief.

Eleazar is running for senator under the slate of Lacson, who got the PMAAAI Lifetime Achievement Award and Senate President Vicente Sotto III who is seeking the vice-presidency.

The theme of this year’s PMA General Assembly and Membership Meeting was “Mga PMA Cavaliers: Tunay na kaagapay ng Sambayanang Pilipino sa Panahon ng Pandemya o Kalamidad.”

The member of PMA ‘Hinirang’ Class of 1987 expressed gratitude to the PMAAAI for acknowledging his leadership in the PNP wherein he initiated aggressive reforms to further improve the services of the police that also includes the internal cleansing campaign.

“To be recognized by your own alma mater is really something that will really make you proud because this simply means that you lived up to its teachings and expectations. In the case of the PMA, living up to its core values of courage, honor and integrity,” said Eleazar.

Eleazar received the Outstanding Achievement Award as PNP chief.

As soon as he assumed the police’s top post, Eleazar immediately launched the Intensified Cleanliness Policy which is anchored on the broken windows theory—that minor wrongdoings, if remain undeterred, will lead to serious problems and serious crimes.

Among the measures he initiated were the nameless and faceless recruitment system through QR Code, strict and fast implementation of disciplinary measures for erring cops, coordination and good working relationship with other government agencies in the conduct of anti-crime operations, and initiatives to make the filing of complaints and request for police assistance more accessible to the people which include the use of social media platforms.

Eleazar took the lead in the fast distribution of body-worn cameras and even coordinated with the Supreme Court for a guideline in their use during the conduct of police operations to ensure transparency and accountability amid allegations of human rights abuses and extra-judicial killings.

Known for standing up for what is right, he also took the lead in coordinating with the Department of Justice to open PNP documents on anti-illegal drugs operations which led to the investigation of those who committed abuses during the conduct of drug war.

Eleazar, who served the government for 38 years in the uniformed service, said the award given to him would serve as an inspiration to continue the programs and advocacies that he started in the police force.

“Magsisilbi itong inspirasyon at motivation upang ipagpatuloy ang laban na nasimulan natin sa PNP upang makuha ng lubusan ang tiwala at respeto ng ating mga kababayan na siya namang susi para maging matatag ang peace and order sa ating bansa,” he said.

“Dahil ako ay naniniwala na ang magandang peace and order ang pundasyon ng kaunlaran ng isang bansa. Ito ang ilalaban ko na sasabayan natin ng paninindigan para sa tama at paninindigan para itama ang mali sa ating pamahalaan at lipunan,” he stressed.