PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar yesterday said he wants all police precincts, stations, offices and headquarters from Camp Crame down to the lowest police-community precinct to be literally clean and orderly and that’s not an exaggeration.

The 26th PNP chief’s Intensified Cleanliness Policy in the Offices will ensure that all PNP offices and facilities are clean and presentable as they are the showcase of what the police is.

“Kung sa bukana pa lang ng police station ay makikita na ang nagkalat na upos ng sigarilyo at basurang nagkalat, at kung sa bukana pa lang ay mapanghi na ang simoy ng hangin, mahihirapan tayong makuha ang respeto at tiwala ng ating mga kababayan na ating pinagsisilbihan,” he said.

When he was still the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director in Metro Manila in 2019, Eleazar was known for conducting surprise inspections in different PCPs in the metropolis.

He lamented then that while many of the police stations he inspected were clean on the inside, the outside premises were considered filthy.

“Cleanliness not only inside but also outside as this is important. There were a lot of cigarette butts, empty water bottles and candy wrappers during my inspection in these PCPs. I told them even if they have old equipment, as long as these are in order, the people will still find it presentable, especially complainants. The comfort rooms should not have any foul smell. It is important to have a good and clean working environment,” he used to say when he was still the Metro Manila police chief.

Eleazar became known for giving PCP commanders in Metro Manila a warning first after finding their offices and surroundings not in order. Those who failed to comply with his directives were relieved from their posts on 2nd offense.

“Cleanliness and sanitation in the police stations should be a standard. Police commanders should always make sure that the surroundings are clean,” he said while adding that keeping police stations and offices clean is part of their internal cleansing program.

“In general, I am satisfied but we can do more improvement. The people’s trust will be restored if they see clean surroundings of police stations. What I mean here is exaggerated cleanliness,” he explained.

“Ito kasi, kapag nakita ng tao na malinis itong presinto, ang dating sa kanila ay maaliwalas, ‘di ba? Saka pati ang isang lugar na malinis, ito ay nakaka-encourage ng environment na maging kaaya-aya,” the PNP chief said.

As chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in 2018, Eleazar elevated the war on illegal drugs and the anti-criminality campaign and instilled discipline among police personnel, relaunching a hotline through which the public can report criminal and abusive policemen.

Under his stewardship, the NCRPO was given by President Rodrigo Duterte special awards for Most Notable Accomplishments in the Campaign Against Illegal Drugs and Exemplary Accomplishment in the PNP Internal Cleansing Operations during the 117th Police Service Anniversary on August 8, 2018.

It was also during his stint as Metro Manila police chief that he received his 2nd-star and, for the first time, the NCRPO was adjudged the Best Police Regional Office based on its performance in the campaign against illegal drugs and aggressive internal cleansing program.

Eleazar likewise distinguished himself as a highly capable commander by ensuring zero casualty and zero incidents during President Duterte’s first two State of the Nation Addresses as Task Group Quezon Commander and two other SONAs as NCRPO director and head of the Security Task Force SONA in 2018 and 2019.

When he was still PNP Deputy Chief for Operations, he was designated as commander of the Joint Task Force COVID Shield, the government’s quarantine rules enforcement arm

He assumed the number two post in the PNP as Deputy Chief for Administration on September 3, 2020 under Gen. Debold M. Sinas and was made concurrent commander of the PNP-Administrative Support on COVID-19 Task Force which takes care of PNP frontliners in the government’s COVID-19 response.

“To be appointed as the Chief PNP is a rare opportunity but comes with the challenges of good leadership and meeting the high expectations of the Filipino people. I accept these challenges,” the new top cop said.

“I express my sincerest gratitude to our Commander-in-Chief, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for choosing me to be among the instruments of his genuine intention of having a well-disciplined and professional police force that could always be banked on in enforcing the law and in serving and protecting the Filipino people,” the 55-year old top cop said.

President Duterte designated Gen. Eleazar as the next PNP chief following a recommendation from the National Police Commission chaired by Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año.

“I welcome the appointment of PLt Gen Eleazar who is very qualified for the job. Through a NAPOLCOM resolution, Eleazar was recommended to be the next Chief PNP based on seniority, merit, service reputation and competence to lead the pollice force. I expect PLt Gen Eleazar to lead the PNP organization to greater heights amidst the pandemic during these challenging times,” the DILG chief said.

Eleazar also expressed his sincere gratitude to the DLG chief for “always believing in my capacity to lead the more than 220,000-strong PNP.