Mamang Pulis: A Closer Look

WE SERVE AND PROTECT

Thus states the Philippine National Police' motto.

As students, we were taught with the notion that the Police are the protectors of the community. They're the ones who go after the bad guys. They're the brave who enforce peace and order.

In recent years, however, my personal orientation about the police started to change, primarily because the media is continually feeding us with significant information about various scandals involving the police.

The whole country was shocked to have watched a video presented by an investigative show about a Pasig cop caught in the act of using prohibited drugs inside the Police Station. A number of cops in Negros were recently suspended because they were drinking liquor while on duty.

Some other cases include the police caught firing their guns during new year celebrations, abuse of their authorities in the streets and in other public places, involvement by a former PNP chief on Jun Lozada's supposed abduction in the airport, the case of the Euro Generals, and just recently, the reported overkill of suspected carnappers along EDSA.

While the Philippine National Police continue to banner their motto that they Serve and Protect the community, these untoward cases seem to create distrust by the people on our police officers.

Sadly, when the people themselves don't trust our police, they wouldn't know where to turn to when they get involved in untoward incidents.

Though we all know that good cops still exist and do their duty well, our PNP should do a bold reform in their ranks. They must seek to let the trust of the people be restored onto them. Only then will they be able to accomplish their vision of working in partnership with a responsive community towards the attainment of a safe place to live, work, invest and do business with.

Good New, Very Bad News 2

High Tech na ang Taguig para labanan, at mabawasan ang krimen sa pamamagitan ng bagong lunsad na "Tag Watch".

Tag Watch features the full integration of a command center, a 24/7 hotline similar to the United States’ 911, numerous closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras that can rotate and zoom in by as much as 300 meters and police cars equipped with global positioning system (GPS) units.

At kung dapat palakpakan itong bagong sistema nang kapulisan sa Taguig, dapat naman sigurong palukpukin itong mga pulis na ito sa Negros.

Six policemen in Negros are in hot water for allegedly having a drinking spree inside their station.

Chief Inspector Rico Santotome said if found guilty, SPO1 Ramon Macaya, PO3 Noel Joquino, PO2 Edward Gayuma, PO1 Joseph Caballero, PO1 Gecel Dela Cruz and PO1 Jonjer Yap would be suspended for 15 days without pay.

“The inspecting team was surprised to see the policemen inside the police station drinking alcoholic beverages while in uniform, some of them in incomplete attire,” the official said.

Aba'y huwag naman sanang ganyan, mga kabo. Kapag ganyan ng ganyan, patuloy na sumasama ang imahe ng kapulisan.

Nakakalungkot namang tingnan na habang ang ilan ay nagpipilit na pagandahin ang imahe ng kapulisan katulad nang sa Taguig, eh may mga ganito namang kaso ng iresponsibilidad sa Negros.