PRO-7 OKs with SAF training for recruits

CEBU, Philippines — To instill discipline among police recruits, the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas is supporting the proposal of incoming Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde to have all recruits undergo the trainings of Special Action Force.

PRO-7 spokesperson Supt. Reyman Tolentin said that the SAF training is more rigorous than ordinary police trainings because it is an elite unit.

“In SAF, discipline is being instilled, naa gyud tanan, so bawal ka pawala-wala. You are molded like a good policeman, orders are given and you are ordered to follow,” Tolentin said.

He, however, said that recruits have nothing to fear because the training will hone them into “well-rounded” policeman.  Tolentin added that it is also a challenge that recruits have to overcome.

“The police profession is a profession of arms, dili sila angay mahadlok. In fact, it is a challenge to overcome the training because it will prepare them for any eventualities, they should embrace this kind of development,” Tolentin said.

Albayalde, who is set to assume as the new PNP chief on April 19, is planning to require SAF  training for all police recruits. He will replace the retiring PNP chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.

Albayalde, a graduate of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1986, is noted for his being strict and disciplinarian. In fact, during his reign as director of the National Capital Region Police Office he sacked several policemen after he caught them slacking, drinking, and gambling while on night duty.

Albayalde believes that a more rigid training for recruits will prevent scalawags in the organization. —FPL (FREEMAN)