AFTER being bypassed three times, P/Lt. General Guillermo Tolentino Eleazar has been finally appointed as director general of the more than 122,000-strong, Philippine National Police by Pres. Duterte last May 5, 2021, three days before the retirement of his predecessor and “mistah,” P/General Dehold Sinas.
The announcement was made by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary, Eduardo M. Año, in a brief statement released by his office.
“President Duterte has just approved the appointment of PLt Gen Guillermo Eleazar as the next Chief of the Philippine National Police with the rank of Police General vice PGen Debold Sinas who retires on May 8, 2021,” reads Año’s statement.
“I welcome the appointment of PLt Gen Eleazar who is very qualified for this very important position in government. We thank the President for acting favorably on my recommendation for him to lead the PNP.
“Through a NAPOLCOM resolution, Eleazar was recommended by me and the Commission to be the next Chief, PNP based on seniority, merit, service reputation and competence to lead the national police organization. He has shown his ability, integrity, and professionalism in the many positions he has occupied in the police organization especially as the first commander of Joint Task Force COVID-Shield and as Deputy Chief, PNP for Administration,” the statement added.
But unlike other appointments to the top post of the PNP, Eleazar’s becoming the 26TH ‘Chief PNP’ gained near universal support, from the ordinary man on the street, to the members of the press and to the leadership of both chambers of Congress, due to his known professionalism, discipline, good character and integrity and dedication to the national police organization that he has served in various capacities for more than three decades since graduating from the Philippine Military Academy in 1987.
Expressing the voice of the House of Representatives on Eleazar’s appointment, House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, in a brief statement, described Eleazar as a “man of action” and with “proven competence.”
“Our new top cop is a man of action in resolving cases with swiftness. With his proven competence, I believe he will always uphold justice.
“His dedication, unwavering hard work and perseverance will further restore discipline and respect to the PNP as an institution,” Romualdez said, adding:
“I know that Gen. Eleazar will always continue to affirm the PNP’s motto to ‘serve and protect’ and be a good example and advocate of the rule of law.”
Senate President Vicente Sotto III, reacting on the appointment a day after it was announced, did not hesitate to say that Eleazar is the “best choice” for the position.
“He’s the best choice,” Sotto said. “He is a very noble man. He will be very good for the Philippine National Police and therefore very good for the country.”
‘Intensified Cleanliness Policy’
During the turnover ceremony last April 7, 2021 between Sinas and Eleazar at Camp Crame presided by Secretary Año, Eleazar immediately buckled down to work by announcing the cornerstone of his leadership thru his ‘Intensified Cleanliness Policy’ (ICP) that is focused on three key areas: cleanliness in the offices, cleanliness in the ranks and, cleanliness in the community.
Elaborating, Eleazar made it clear that he is not only referring to the physical cleanliness of all police offices and stations but also, of cleansing the police ranks of misfits and scalawags and the communities of undesirable elements.
He also said that he expects the PNP to address problems while these are still “small” to prevent them from getting worse later on, citing his own experience and insight since he was a junior officer.
“Ang maliit na problema kapag hindi pinansin at pinabayaan ay lalaki, lumalala, nakakahawa hanggang ito ay lumala. Mabilis na ang aksyon ang kailangan upang ang problema hindi na lumala.”
Making example of Rizza Joy Alejandrino, his provincemate from Quezon who struggled to become a policewoman, Eleazar quoted her as saying: ‘Andito na ako, natupad na ang pangarap ko, bakit pa ako lilihis ng landas’
Unfortunately, Eleazar said, the same philosophy of passion and dedication did not seep down to most policemen, blaming the PNP’s recruitment system that is still marred with “backers” and “padrinos.”
“Sa recruitment pa lang mayroon nang corruption,” he lamented.”
As such, Eleazar said he would now make it hard for undesirable recruits to enter the PNP, saying he wants “only the best” to be recruited thru a fair recruitment process using the “QR” (quick response) system. “Even now I would like to apologize to those who want to seek favor, I would not grant it,” he said, adding, “We are now righting the (wrong) culture of ‘palakasan’ in the PNP.”
Under his ICP in the ranks, Eleazar said he wants “effective supervision” of the police ranks at all levels of the organization, starting from his office and down to the unit police commanders in the field. He said any policeman would hesitate to commit a felony if he knows that he would not be tolerated by his immediate superior and by the national police organization.
Eleazar also warned all police misfits and scalawags that their days are numbered and that it would be best for them to remove themselves from the service.
Seeking the support of the public, Eleazar also announced the activation of the PNP’s “improved” complaint referral system where the public can lodge their complaint thru text messages and other forms of electronic communication. “Ang sumbong mo, aaksyunan ko,” Eleazar said.
PNP to ‘complement’ work of NTF-ELCAC
Eleazar also ordered the ‘clustering’ of barangays in order for the government’s anti-drug campaign to be more effective and for active police involvement in community affairs not only to address the problem on illegal drugs but also, to combat the continuing terrorism being waged by the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
He encouraged for the strengthening of the PNP’s ‘community relations services’ in order to remain in close contact with local residents thru visitation and regular interaction under the PNP’s ‘revitalized pulis sa barangay program.’ “Kailangan maipakita natin na hindi tayo ang ‘kaaway,’” Eleazar stressed.
Citing two incidents in 2019 and early this year that left a total of 9 policemen dead from NPA attacks, Eleazar said the CPP-NPA is not much different from the Abu Sayyaf, the ISIS and other Mindanao-based terrorist groups. He noted that most NPA victims are civilians.
Eleazar said the PNP will be “beside” the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) “in our common goal of ending the communist insurgency by clearing barangays from the influence of the CPP-NPA-NDF.”
Particularly, Eleazar said the PNP shall provide the AFP with the “investigative skills” of the police, especially in dealing with the front organizations of the CPP-NPA which have been the source of “strength” of these terrorist groups.