NEW Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar has a stern warning to criminals and crooks in uniform: You will hate me.

The member of Philippine Military Academy ‘Hinirang’ Class of 1987 made this clear as he said that under his Internal Cleansing Program, there will be no more room for erring police officers and men in the 210,000-strong force.

Eleazar is just being true to his word. As a former director of the Quezon City Police District, the Police Regional Office 4-A in Calabarzon region and eventually the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), he gained fame for his very tough stance against rogues in police uniform specifically those involved in so-called ‘kotong, bangketa and hulidap’ activities.

The 55-year old general said members of the PNP are often being branded as ‘Pulis Patola’ or ‘Kotong Cops’ because of the presence of a very few bad eggs in the force who obviously compromised the integrity and reputation of the organization whose members have been sworn to serve and protect the public.

“For as long as I’m the chief PNP, every single centavo of your hard-earned money allocated to us will be in good hands,” Eleazar said after he assumed the top PNP post vice his mistah from Philippine Military Academy ‘Hinirang’ Class of 1987, now retired Gen. Debold M. Sinas.

“Sa mga natitirang hoodlum in police uniforms, sisiguraduhin ko sa inyo, you will hate me. Hindi ako magdadalawang-isip na magtanggal ng mga tiwaling pulis dahil sa laki ng sweldo na binibigay sa atin ng ating gobyerno at benepisyo, sigurado akong madaming gustong pumalit sa inyo,” he said.

Eleazar said he expect every PNP unit commander and team leader to exercise effective supervision of their men. “Naniniwala ako na magdadalawang-isip gumawa ang sinumang pulis, maging ‘yan man ay patrolman o patrolwoman, maging heneral, kung alam niya na siya ay di kukunsintihin ng kanyang commander, ng kanyang kasamahan at ng kanyang organisasyon,” he said.

Eleazar became the 4th former NCRPO director to be appointed as PNP chief by President Duterte since 2016. The others are Gen. Oscar D. Albayalde and Gen. Camilo Pancratius P. Cascolan, both members of PMA ‘Sinagtala’ Class of 1986 and Sinas.

The present NCRPO director, Major Gen. Vicente D. Danao Jr., a member of PMA ‘Sambisig’ Class of 1991 is widely touted as the top contender to replace Eleazar when he retires from the force this coming November 13.

President Duterte has instructed Eleazar to continue the massive reforms initiated by his predecessors and to go all-out in the war on drugs, criminality, corruption and misfits and scalawags in the police force under the new normal.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año also urged Eleazar to transform the PNP into a highly capable, effective and credible police organization by weeding out scalawags even as he praised Sinas for a job well done in leading the PNP over the past six months.

“Purge the PNP of misfits and ineffective personnel without sacrificing the morale and welfare of our workforce,” Año told the 26th PNP chief.

Officers and men of the PNP on Friday welcomed their 26th chief, Eleazar, a son of a World War 2 veteran from Tagkawayan, Quezon as he officially assumed the helm of the 210,000-strong force.

PNP Deputy Chief for Operations, Lieutenant Gen. Joselito M. Vera Cruz said Sinas was able to handle the PNP well and that “your valuable service even to the risk of your health is very commendable.”

Sinas contracted the COVID-19 virus early this year but was able to fully recover after two weeks in the hospital.

Lt. Gen. Vera Cruz, set to become the PNP Deputy Chief for Administration said the PNP looks highly at Eleazar as the leader who will continue to enrich the finest tradition of Service, Hoor and Justice and keep aflame the passion for excellence in public service.

Saying that Eleazar will undoubtedly be an inspiration of honest service and leadership in the PNP, Vera Cruz said that ‘it is not an exaggeration to say that you’re a worthy successor to Sinas as you have proven time and time again.”

The official said that Sinas has laid the foundation for Eleazar whom he assured of the full support and cooperation of the more than 200,000-strong PNP nationwide.

Vera Cruz said that Eleazar will actually serve as a ‘beacon of hope in this uncertain time and further motivate our men to do their duties.’

The official said that with Eleazar leading the police force, “the PNP emerges stronger and united under a new leadership to ensure continuity of command and enduring implementation of policies and programs.’

Vera Cruz also paid tribute to Sinas whom he said is being recognized for his exemplary leadership as a commander who inspires all PNP personnel by boosting their morale, developing their skills and enhancing their capabilities.

The three top officials are all products of PMA ‘Hinirang’ Class of 1987. Vera Cruz said that as the 25th PNP chief, Sinas ‘exemplified effective and efficient character and leadership which are vital in facing challenges in his command.’

“As a professional police officer for more than three decades, Sinas has likewise contributed significantly to building the PNP into an organization that is adequately prepared to perform the mission to serve and protect our people,” Vera Cruz said while adding that Sinas will leave an unblemished record as an officer and a public servant who instilled in his men that policing is all about people.

“That our job as police officers is to protect them may it from be criminals or the deadly virus,” he said.