Newly sworn-in Philippine National Police chief Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar will launch an internal cleansing policy that aims to repaint the tarnished reputation of the police. 

During his first speech at the change of command ceremony on May 7, Eleazar said he will relaunch his internal cleansing policy which was first implemented during his term as the director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO). 

Part of this program – the reforming initiatives – will ensure quality among the ranks of police officers. According to Eleazar, he will order the use of Quick Response (QR) codes for the application of all police officers nationwide to weed out “palakasan” or a backer system. 

“Naging kalakaran na kasi na papasok ka ng PNP, dapat may kakilala ka. (It became a practice in the PNP that if you want to enter, you should have a backer),” Eleazar explained. 

With the use of QR code, applicants will become anonymous and cannot use their backers to enter the 220,000-strong PNP.

Aside from reforming the police ranks, Eleazar will also order internal cleansing in the community through intensified enforcement of peace and order. The intensified law enforcement will focus on street crimes, cybercrime, and health protocols during the pandemic.

The new chief also vowed to continue the police’s thrusts against insurgency and illegal drugs. 

Oddly enough, Eleazar also ordered the literal cleaning of all all PNP precincts, stations and offices to ensure that they are presentable.

“Kung sa bukana pa lang ng police station ay makikita na ang nagkalat na upos ng sigarilyo at basurang nagkalat, at kung sa bukana pa lang ay mapanghi na ang simoy ng hangin, mahihirapan tayong makuha ang respeto at tiwala ng ating mga kababayan na ating pinagsisilbihan,” Eleazar said. 

(If you see cigarette butts and garbage in the entrance of police stations, and the surroundings have foul smell, we will have hard time earning the respect and trust of the people.)

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On May 5, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año formally announced the appointment of Eleazar as the 26th PNP chief. Eleazar replaced controversial Police General Debold Sinas, who will retire on May 8. 

Prior to his appointment, Eleazar was bypassed by Duterte when he appointed Sinas over the more senior Eleazar.  The new PNP chief belongs to the Philippine Military Academy Hinirang Class of 1987 and finished rank 4 in his batch. – Rappler.com