In times of change, like now, we need not emphasize the crucial role played by the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies like the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
In this bloody war against organized crime and illegal drugs, we have to ensure that only the best in uniform are on the line.
Needless to say, what our police officers do out there on the streets reflects not only on the PNP but on the national government itself.
There is no room for misfits, and for abusive, and “engot” police personnel-—thus the constant cleansing of the PNP ranks.
It is just reassuring that we have officials like Police Director Amador Corpuz, CIDG Chief, who will act swiftly on any complaint pertaining to the conduct of his men.
General Corpuz wants to keep only the best of the best, meaning only a few good men and women, in this elite branch of the PNP that handles high-profile and heinous criminal cases.
That is why we did not hesitate to bring to the attention of the CIDG Chief a recent complaint where in two cameramen were unnecessarily removed from a sports event venue by CIDG men on orders of one Col. Cezar Paday-os.
The two online sports crewmen were merely setting up for live coverage at outside a sports complex in Baguio City when the policemen pounced on them and hauled them to the local CIDG office.
They were reportedly detained overnight until this Col. Paday-os told them the next day to have a hefty amount of money to bail out of their “illegal gambling” case.
It was clearly an act of harassment on questionable motive, misrepresentation and abuse of authority.
Upon learning about the complaint of the two cameramen, General Corpuz ordered the immediate relief of the colonel. The investigation resulted in Paday-os’ transfer to another PNP unit.
General Corpuz assured the public that there is no room for such abuses and “kapalpakan” in a reputable police office like the CIDG.
Way to go, General!
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A lot of people will surely miss my good old friend, “kumpadre” and “manong” Antonio “Bebot” Villar who passed away last Friday, March 1 in Quezon City.
Villar served as mayor of Santo Tomas, Pangasinan for several years until former President Arroyo took office. He was then tapped to contain the rampant smuggling at the pier through the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG).
However, his stint at PASG didn’t last long as the drug problem in the country worsened. Arroyo put him in charge of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).
Villar, who is the “darling of the press,” retired from office when PNoy assumed power in 2010.
His remains now lie at the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes along Araneta Avenue, Quezon City. Interment will be on Wednesday in his hometown in Santo Tomas, Pangasinan.