CALAMBA CITY, Laguna — Officers and men of the Police Regional Office Calabarzon headed by Brigadier General Eliseo DC Cruz expressed their full commitment and support to all the plans and programs of the 27th chief of the Philippine National Police, General Dionardo Bernardo Carlos.
“We, the 13,639 strong Calabarzon police force fully welcome President Duterte’s decision to appoint Gen. Carlos as our new Chief. He really has the respect of police officers and men as he is known for his solid track record, accomplishments, good character and leadership qualities,” said the PRO4-A in a statement.
Brig. Gen. Cruz aired the PRO4-A’s full commitment to support Gen. Carlos as he further builds on the gains of his predecessors led by now retired Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar.
The Calabarzon police director assured the PNP chief that their fight against criminality, illegal drugs, insurgency and terrorism and corruption will continue without any let-up.
“As PGen. Carlos had said, we need to fully perform our mandate to fight criminality, illegal drugs, insurgency and terrorism and corruption without fear or favor and with greater might and vigor,” Brig. Gen. Cruz said.
The official particularly assured Calabarzon residents of an intensified campaign against illegal drug trafficking and abuse knowing well that their successful war on drugs is a major factor behind the massive decline in all forms of crime in the region composed of the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon since 2016.
At the same time, he also echoed the call of Gen. Carlos for the entire Filipino community to maintain their vigilance not only in helping address the further spread of COVID-19 but in reporting the presence of suspicious-looking characters and movements in their neighborhood so that the local police can immediately address them.
4-point immediate action program
Gen. Carlos bared a 4-point immediate action program that he will implement as Chief of the PNP: (1) to ensure a peaceful and orderly 2022 elections; (2) to continue the PNP programs on anti-criminality, anti-illegal drugs and anti-corruption; (3) to develop and empower the Area Police Commands; and (4) to continue the policies, programs and projects of the previous chiefs of the national police chiefs under the Duterte administration.
“As our nation is once again turning a new page in its history with the forthcoming national elections and I now lead the PNP in ensuring the orderly and peaceful exercise of our people’s right to vote, we will focus on the task ahead to Plan, Prepare, Perform for Peaceful Elections in May 2022,” Gen. Carlos said.
Brig. Gen. Cruz said that in line with the new PNP chief’s instruction, they are further improving their implementation of the PNP Enhanced Managing Police Operations against criminality and the PNP Double Barrel Finale ‘Version 2022’ against illegal drugs in Calabarzon region.
The official also committed to fully support the Southern Luzon Area Police Command headed by Lieutenant General Ferdinand O. Divina in fighting insurgency, terrorism and dismantling private armed groups and accounting for loose firearms in the region as they prepare for next year’s election.
Himself a former PNP Area Police Command Director for Southern Luzon and Visayas, Gen. Carlos said the fight against insurgency, terrorism and the dismantling of private armed groups will receive a new shot in the arm as the police force prepare for the national elections.
“We will further develop and strengthen our Area Police Commands to make our operations on the ground more focused and aggressive as we strive to further deny insurgents, terrorists and private armed groups the opportunity to sow terror in our communities,” he said.
Under his command, Gen. Carlos said the PNP will not be remiss in continuing the reforms that have been started by past administrations, the programs that have been initiated and the policies that are being strengthened in the organization, citing the Intensified Cleanliness Policy, fiscal transparency and accountability, and Body Mass Index Program.
“Our battle cry, ‘to serve and protect’ will remain louder and stronger than ever. Building on the gains of the past PNP administration, I will ensure that every member of the police force will remain on his toes in performing the PNP mandate as we continue to fight criminality, illegal drugs, insurgency and terrorism, and corruption without fear or favor and with greater might and vigor,” Gen. Carlos emphasized.
“The Filipino people deserve nothing less than the best service from the PNP, I commit the remaining months of my service to performing my mandate, to serve and protect my countrymen with all the effort I can muster and with a full and sincere heart for service, “ the new PNP chief said. — PRO CALABARZON
