PNP chief vows swift action vs erring, lazy cops

PNP chief Dir. Gen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. INQUIRER.net file photo / NOY MORCOSO

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa vowed on Friday to strictly punish and immediately dismiss erring policemen now that their salaries have been doubled.

“Hindi lang mas mabigat [na parusa] kundi mas mabilis na pagresolba ng kanilang kaso, mas mabilis silang madismiss, promise ko yan sa inyo. Idi-dismiss ko kaagad yung mga pulis, lalo na yung mga [Police Officer 1], times two na yung sweldo nila, gagawa pa rin ng kalokohan, pang-aabuso,” Dela Rosa told reporters in an interview during the turnover ceremony of mobile patrol vehicles and K-9 dogs to the Valenzuela City PNP.

(It’s not just heavier punishment but faster resolution of their cases, and their immediate dismissal, I promise you that. I will immediately dismiss policemen, especially those PO1s, whose salaries have been doubled but would still do foolish things, commit abuses.)

Dela Rosa said that policemen are expected to double their efforts in ensuring peace and order in our society and commit to do their jobs 24/7. The policemen are also expected to be more aggressive in policing and enforcing the law. Investigators should also level up their crime solution efficiency.

“’Wala naman tayo ine-expect sa mga pulis natin kundi kung na-assign siya sa patrol, magpatrolya ng husto, mang-aresto ng dapat arestuhin. Hindi yung patulog-tulog lang, patext-text lang at nag-rerelax,” he said.

(We do not expect anything more from our policemen except to patrol if he’s assigned in patrolling, arrest those who needed to be arrested. They should not sleep or text or relax in their jobs.)

The police chief maintained that even with their old salary scheme, there is no reason for policemen to do abuses and other wrongdoings.

Dela Rosa said that the police force and the military deserve the pay increase especially that their lives are on the line in the performance of their duties.

“…yung buhay kasi ng pulis mas delikado ang trabaho ng pulis at ng sundalo, pwede ka mamatay so tama lang rin na bigyan ng recognition by way of increasing the salary, ‘yun ang pagtingin namin,” he said.

(The lives of policemen and soldiers are always at risk, (because) you could die in the line of duty, so it is just right to give them recognition by way of increasing the salary, that’s how we see it.)

Starting January 1, a PO1 will receive P29,668 monthly base pay while a senior police officer 4 (SPO4) will get P35,456.  /jpv

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