Disappointing

NCRPO Chief Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar has apologized for his behavior towards a rogue police officer. Eleazar was caught on video pulling the hair of Police Corporal Marlo Quibete who has caught extorting P200,000 for the release of a drug suspect. Eleazar acknowledged that he had lost control of his emotions which led to his actions towards Quibete, but at the same time stating that Quibete deserved it as he was the reason for the bad image of the PNP. President Duterte supported what Eleazar did, once again saying that he has his back. Nothing new there. PNP Chief General Oscar Albayalde likewise supported Eleazar, saying if he had been in his place, he would have done more. Albayalde added that Eleazar was most likely frustrated at rogue policemen in spite of all the warnings given by the PNP. His actions are likened to parents disciplining their children.

I also understand Eleazar’s actions towards the scalawag, which I’m most certain is not the only one in the PNP. Obviously, doubling the salaries of policemen did not help in stopping some policemen from becoming rogue. There are still corrupt policemen like Quibete, who ironically is even a member of the Drug Enforcement Unit of the Eastern Police District. The administration may have a deadly campaign against illegal drugs, but then there are policemen who exploit it. The crime of Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo comes to mind, whose case has yet to be decided. Most recently, seven Las Piñas policemen were arrested for the same thing --demanding money for the release of a drug suspect. The seven are now in custody. Disappointing.

But the anger and disappointment of Albayalde and Eleazar will only mean anything if the PNP is truly sincere in purging its ranks, a task that has never been easy. Many PNP chiefs have come and gone. No matter how many times rogue cops are warned, they still commit crimes or corruption. This is why the PNP image remains unchanged. Especially today in the era of extrajudicial killings (EJK). It was revealed in the latest SWS survey that many Filipinos are afraid of being victims of EJK, or are afraid someone they know will. That does not paint a pretty picture for the PNP, no matter the explanations they give for those who “fought back.”

You can only heave a momentous sigh when reports of a corrupt cop surface. If they do get caught, they should immediately be dismissed from the service, because of instances where they are just sent elsewhere. If one is caught in the act of corruption or a crime, then that should be enough to have them removed from the service and arrested, then charged in court and face judgement.