MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday urged policemen to work harder as criticisms against law enforcers continue to circulate on social media.
“Madalas nakatuon ang pansin kahit maliliit na kamalian at nakakaligtaang purihin at bigyang pagkilala ang mga mabubuting gawain. Mabilis kumalat ang impormasyon sa social media, lalong-lalo na ang mga panghuhusga ng ibang tao,” Año said in a speech at Philippine National Police’s 119th police service anniversary at Camp Crame, Quezon City.
(Most people would look at the small mistakes and forget to praise and honor the good deeds. Information spreads faster on social media, especially when it is about passing judgment to a person.)
“Thus, we are here to work even harder to alter this perception and improve the image on all our personnel,” he added.
The PNP should “weed out misfits” in the police force through intensified internal cleansing, Año said.
“We must be unyielding in our internal cleansing drive and by employing all measures that lift up our character and caliber, we will be able to build a reputable and formidable police force trusted and well respected by the FIlipino people,” he said.
PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa, for his part, said the police force implemented its Revitalized Internal Cleansing Program to restore the image of the police organization.
“We set sail in restoring the image of the PNP into one that would portray the police officer as a trustworthy and respectable public servant in the eyes of the people,” Gamboa said in his speech during the PNP anniversary.
“With this vision in mind, we launched the Revitalized Internal Cleansing Program,” he added.
During the coronavirus disease pandemic, Metro Manila police chief Major Gen. Debold Sinas was criticized on social media over the celebration of his birthday mañanita (serenade) last May 8 during the implementation of a strict quarantine which bans mass gathering.
Sinas and 18 other Metro policemen are facing criminal charges in Taguig Prosecutor’s Office for violation of Bayanihan to Heal as One Act and Taguig City ordinances that require wearing of face mask and physical distancing.
The Metro Manila top cop also gained criticisms over the alleged harassment of a retired policeman’s family while serving eviction notice in Taguig last July 19.