ILOILO City – Forty-six Western Visayas police personnel with administrative charges are being subjected to a month-long retraining in Camp Delgado, headquarters of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6).
The retraining started on Monday.
Forty-two of these cops were Police Non-Commissioned Officers, according to Superintendent Joem Malong, regional police spokesperson.
Their administrative cases were related to illegal drugs, illegal gambling, visits to cockpits and moonlighting.
“Do not waste this opportunity to become better versions of yourselves,” Chief Superintendent Carlito Feliciano, deputy regional director for administration of the PRO-6, told the 46 police officers during the retraining’s kickoff program.
The retraining aims to inculcate discipline, change the police officers’ attitude and perception towards effective service, and make them God-centered, service- and family-oriented.
“Acceptance that we have erred and willingness to be transformed must be shown,” said Feliciano. “We want to change the public’s negative perception of us.”
The police personnel came from various police units and stations across the region.
“Their retraining is part of the internal cleansing program of our regional director, Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao,” said Malong.
The training is aptly named “Focused Reformation / Reorientation and Moral Enhancement for Police Officers in Line with Internal Cleansing Efforts” or FORM POLICE.
“Even a minor offense reflects badly on the whole image of the police organization. The PRO-6 will not stop conducting retraining,” said Malong.
Organizational discipline is one of Bulalacao’s major thrusts.
The PRO-6, he stressed, must continue to enjoy the public’s trust and confidence.
Bulalacao said he was given by the Philippine National Police chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde, a “blanket authority” to reshuffle personnel, especially those not performing well and those engaged in illegal activities.
“My actions shall be anchored on the guidance of the PNP chief emphasizing internal reforms and organizational discipline. Under my watch, I will see to it that organizational discipline is imposed to have integrity and individual reform,” said Bulalacao.
He also warned Western Visayas policemen against smoking, texting or sleeping while on duty and in uniform./PN
