‘Leading the national police a gift from God’

MANILA, Philippines—The role of leading the national police was a “gift from God” to outgoing Philippine National Police chief Director General Raul Bacalzo.

Speaking to members of the PNP Press Corps a day before he turns over the PNP leadership, Bacalzo said he was grateful to President Benigno Aquino III for the “trust and confidence…despite being virtual strangers.”

He also thanked the media for shedding light on issues of the police force that needed to be addressed. The PNP chief said that criticisms coming from the media became useful management tools.

“Kung hindi dahil sa inyo, hindi kami magigising. Kayo ang isa sa mga naging haligi ng aking termino (If not for you, we wouldn’t be fully awake [in the service]. You are one of the pillars during my term),” Bacalzo said to the media.

Bacalzo admitted he shied away from the media when he started his term as PNP chief but added he gradually realized the importance of the role the media played in his work. He said the challenge for the incoming PNP chief would be to continue the reforms in the police force.

He said he was “definitely happy” in leaving the police force. “I promised my family I will join them for a few months… spend my birthday with them.”