PNP Director General Edgardo Aglipay: Cop on a mission

"WE SHOULD ALL GO OUT OF OUR WAY TO SERVE AND PROTECT. Let us do what’s best for our country and people, because that’s the ticket to our success…"

Philippine National Police chief Edgardo Aglipay’s voice boomed over the speakers at the Andres Bonifacio shrine in Kalookan City last Sunday, as Northern Police District officers sweltered under the morning sun, listening intently to their boss. It was a short speech, but it hit the mark.

"So far we are moving forward, and I congratulate you for that. In fact, some congressmen told me na dapat dahan-dahan lang daw tayo sa pagkilos kasi nauunahan na natin sila. And that’s exactly why we have to be on our toes all the time. If we do this, we’ll soon be the best institution in the country, perhaps in as early as one year."

Infectious though his optimism may be, even Aglipay admits that "siyempre, it is easier said than done". Deservedly or not, the Philippine National Police has the unenviable reputation of being one of the most corrupt institutions in he country, with the "kotong cop" (cop on the take) rather than the good, helpful cop seen by the public as the stereotype of the cop in the street.

Since taking over last July and on a six-month extension after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 last month, Aglipay has established his flagship project "CARE", which stands for courtesy, action, results and example.

"If we take care of our country… take care of our people and take care of our organization, our country and our people will take care of us," he says, looking more scholarly than ever. "And to achieve this, discipline and austerity will have to be the hallmarks of my administration."

He has enjoined all police officers to show respect and basic courtesy to every citizen, especially the common Filipino, and dutifully vowed to increase police visibility in many areas because it is an "effective deterrent to crime". He has also instructed police stations nationwide to make an inventory of unsolved cases over the past three years.

"I have to see to it na ang mga kapulisan natin ay respectful kasi I found out sa isang report na marami sa ating mga mamamayan ay natatakot sa mga pulis dahil abusado raw at baka kung ano ang gawin sa kanila," Aglipay reveals.

He puts his finger on what he perceives as the specifics of the problem. "First, people believe that when they come to the (police) station for help, they end up with a bigger problem. Second, people don’t see policemen in the streets or in busy commercial areas. Third, if they do file a case, after a few days it is forgotten and remains unresolved. And fourth, people see the police themselves violating the law."

He concludes: "Kaya I believe that to lead effectively is to lead by example. And this is why I’m making sure that my constituents see me as someone who practices what he preaches."

So much to do, so little time. That is Aglipay’s dilemma. With barely seven months to accomplish the presidential mandate to clamp down on the illegal drug trade, terrorism and corruption in the police service, Aglipay is almost working round the clock, making do with an average of four hours of sleep a night. But that suits him just fine.

"For the record, I’m not complaining about anything because I’ve always been aware that with great power comes great responsibility," he says over a hasty breakfast of fried rice and longganisa at a fast food outlet after the Kalookan City inspection. "Kaya kahit medyo madalas akong pagod, masaya pa rin ako at dahil yung mga inutos sa akin ni Presidente ay na-enforce ko."

Top priority for the moment is boosting the approval rating of the police force, and this includes addressing basic issues, such as public perception.

"Mahalaga sa mga pulis na maganda ang tingin sa kanila ang lahat na sector," he explais. "Kailangan parati silang nasa piling ng publiko. Dapat maramdaman ng mga tao na ang kapulisan nila ay nagmamahal sa kanila, nirerespeto sila at higit sa lahat, pinagsisilbihan sila."

"What we’re doing right now," he adds, "is institutionalizing the whole group’s activities. This includes myself, dahil miyembro din ako. Kaya I’m working for certain policies and resolutions to become a permanent routine for all policemen, and these will have to be implemented by the next PNP leader after I’m gone."

Although he may sometimes give the impression of being a drill sergeant training his cadets, Aglipay is generally regarded as authoritative but approachable.

"He is firm, but open to other opinions," says PNP junior spokesman Police Superintendent Aplasca. "He has a certain way of persuasion."

During public events like police inspections, or when he is being interviewed by the media, Aglipay displays an authoritative figure: confident, with a voice that often commands attention. "Well, he needs to look that way otherwise people might view him as too timid to become PNP chief," Aplasca shares. "As a person, madali siyang kausap. If one of us asks for his help, he wouldn’t think twice about giving it."

In between inspections and other field activities, Aglipay spends most of his time catching up on paperwork in his office at the so-called "White House", at the PNP headquarters inside Camp Crame.

Reporters covering the Camp Crame beat, who are not known for their generosity in handing out compliments, agree that the new chief is accomodating.

"Even during hasty press conferences, where he has to be somewhere in the Visayas for an engagement or something, Gen. Aglipay still makes time for interviews," says reporter Christian Esguerra. "He might look at his watch impatiently, or give his aides a troubled look, but that’s it. I appreciate na naiintindihan niya ang trabaho namin."

Although quick with a handshake and a smile, Aglipay is not without his detractors and critics. He raised a howl and cry from an unlikely sector–the gay community– when, shortly after assuming office, he was quoted in a news report as saying that training gay men for the force would be a waste of time and money on the part of the government if they cannot meet the demands of police discipline.

"They should not attempt to enter the PNP, because they won’t make it through the rigorous training. Sayang lang. They should stay where they are happy," Aglipay was quoted as saying.

He was accused of being "discriminatory" and "narrow-minded", but he rode out the public outcry.

The personal goal of any policeman is to become chief of the PNP. In my case, nakakatuwa kasi kahit noong bata pa ako, I already predicted three big things would come true for me," he recalls with a smile. "Ang sabi ko, one day, I will graduate from the PMA (Philippine Military Academy), then I will marry the daughter of the Chief of Staff, and then I will be the Chief of the PNP. As it turns out, nangyari nga lahat sa akin." Aglipay is married to the former Ma. Antonina Marinete Yan, daughter of former AFP Chief of Staff and Ambassador Manuel Yan.

"It was a miracle," he continues. "Of course, it took a lot of hard work and prayers to God for me to have those things. And now that I’m here, I can serve our people well because yan naman talaga ang kailangan gawin ng isang director general."

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1971, Aglipay earned his master’s degree in business administration from the University of the Philippines and a degree in law from the Ateneo. Later, he obtained a master’s degree in military arts and sciences at Fort Leavenworth in the United States.

During his years as a junior officer, Aglipay was awarded the Gold Cross Medal for his role in the MV Karagatan incident, foiling an attempted arms landing in Isabela by the New People’s Army. He went on to become regional director of the National Capital Region Police Office and Police Regional Office-3 in Central Luzon.

Before he was named PNP chief, Aglipay served as its deputy director and concurrent head of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AID-SOTF), the lead police unit that was responsible for the neutralization of notorious transnational drug syndicates. Under his leadership, the AID-SOTF was awarded a presidential citation for neutralizing 22 clandestine laboratories and storage facilities operated by drug syndicates in manufacturing shabu.

Aglipay was among the police generals who withdrew support from President Joseph Estrada in January 2001, paving the way for the Arroyo government.

"Right now, I have a job to do," he says, "and it’s an important and difficult one. But whatever the hurdles may be, well, it doesn’t really matter that much. I simply have to continue handling my responsibilities well."

Does he also dream of becoming a politician?

"Not really," he says, shaking his head. "Sa ngayon, wala akong iniisip na pumasok sa pulitika. But we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. Mahirap na kasi magsalita ng tapos, di ba?"