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4.26.2019

Childish Outbursts vs. Crime and Community.

Here in the Philippines, and perhaps just about any other country in the world, the primary function of the police organization is to maintain public order, ensure safety and security, and prevent and investigate crimes. But through the years, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has gone beyond their traditional task of policing and crime control, gearing towards a community and service-oriented policing system. With the help and cooperation of local government units and the community itself, the PNP is slowly but surely reinventing its image to something more congenial and 'people-friendly'.
Police mascot.
Photo credit: Tayo Na, Valenzuela.
But what happens when local executives turn their backs against the police force for seemingly trivial reasons? It's mayhem, of course, with the safety and security of the community, and people's lives at stake. Case in point, this controversy between the police and Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro.

PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde criticized a local chief executive for withdrawing the city government's support to the local police. Albayalde did not drop names, but National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director, Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar confirmed later on that the local official in question was Mayor Teodoro.
Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar and PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde.
Photo credit: Philippine Star.
According to Albayalde, the issue began when the former chief of police in the city was promoted to the next higher rank and moved to a different post. A new chief was then assigned to the city, and the mayor apparently got angry, perhaps thinking that he was kept in the dark while all this was happening.

Under the law, local chief executives have the prerogative to choose the chief of police in their cities or municipalities. However, Albayalde pointed out that there are instances when the PNP has to temporarily assign an acting police chief in their areas if the post has been vacated.

As a result, Albayalde said the mayor withheld assistance funds for the local police, told them not to attend flag-raising rites at the city hall, and went so far as to remove all hotlines of police stations around the city. The PNP chief called these acts 'childish', which is exactly what it is.
PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde.
Photo credit: Philippine Star.
The Mayor is pissed that he was not kept in the loop. I get that - he has jurisdiction over the matter after all, aside from the fact that he is the highest governing body of the city. But to express his anger and retaliate by canceling the gas assistance for police mobiles and cutting off the hotlines in police stations is a little too much.

How are the cops supposed to respond to calls for help when the people can't even get in touch with them? How can you mobilize the cops when their patrol cars are running on empty? Who suffers the consequences of this 'childish' dispute? Certainly not the mayor. Not the police chief. Not the cops. It's the people who will experience negative repercussions for somebody else's actions. It's the people whom the police vow to serve and protect, the people who voted for the local officials, the people for whom the government exists.

In this day and age, the last thing we need are childish outbursts and trivial tantrums from people who should be governing in wisdom.


23 replies:

Brie said...

This was a very informative read. I like some of the comparisons you used.

Jay Joy said...

It is so difficult. Unfortunately, we think our leaders will never make mistakes . Then realize they can suck sometimes and are just human.

breenarina said...

I agree!!! Where you said "In this day and age, the last thing we need are childish outbursts and trivial tantrums from people who should be governing in wisdom" is exactly how I feel!!

Michael said...

I am continually praying for our country! May God bless our land more esp. this coming election season. Hopefully the elected will help fix issues such as this.

Ashli Ferguson said...

YES preach it!! We need to all get together and make sure our country rises up and becomes better!

Jennifer said...

Wow that was extremely childish, I realize that he felt disrespected, but he could’ve addressed it differently. It’s also incredibly sad for the people, who may need the assistance of the police.

Lydia Smith said...

I totally agree with you. I just pray God keeps protecting us all because the people we feel that should protect are just not doing so.

Mudpie Fridays said...

People should know how to set aside personal issues. Instead of turning back against each other, why not helping together to make peace and order in your country.

Preet said...

Police officers should always act as professional and don't let other affects with their issues. Hope everything will be in good hands.

Itsasweetsweetworld said...

Your post provides great insight on the situation. I hope the government learns from this and makes amends.

Djebe said...

Its a shame when its the people and tax payers that suffer over goverment disputes...another reason we should all know who we elect into office and make sure we go to the polls

Just Djebe

Djebe said...

So important that we know what goes on with our leaders because we are the ones who are impacted more

Just Djebe

minimalistmiri said...

This blog brought a lot of new information to my attention. I hope that one day everyone can come together to improve the world.

Laura Dove said...

This is so informative and I know very little about this so I found it really it so interesting to read. Great article.

Becca said...

Interesting post – some great tips and advice here! I will definitely have to take some of this on board x

mom's shout out said...

hopefuly other gov't agencies will have a firm leader like the PNP so that this kind of trash attitude will be cut...

Pinay Mommy Online said...

That was quite childish indeed. This was a great read with so many information about the situation.

Blair Villanueva said...

I honestly doesn't pay much attention to our servicemen who acts childish coz it's a power play that they are been doing for many years. It's also engraved to them.

Sigrid Says said...

Removing police hotlines around the city? It's not the cops' loss but the constituents because they no longer have easy access to police help when emergency arises. That's really childish. :(

JenJacqs said...

Even if he don't like the new PNP chief in the city because he felt betrayed not knowing about this, he should deal with it as an adult and leader in the city. It's quite childish to take back support for this trivial matters.

Mumwrites said...

These sure are childish acts unbecoming of a local elected government official. This is also tantamount to putting the public's safety in jeopardy. A minor case of miscommunication blown into bigger proportions. I pray this will never happen again.

Jennie Vee said...

This is why I left government service way back 2008 -- because of childish leaders. Nakakawalang gana talaga sa Pilipinas pag ganyan ang namumuno sa ating bansa, whether locally or nationally. When will our leaders shape up? Tsk, tsk.

Emma said...

People like this needs to be exposed. Very unprofessional and indeed childish! What's important is his new PNP chief will do his job well, if not exceed the performance of the previous one. Unless of course he has his personal agenda why this is such a big deal to him.