PNP chief defends public shaming of police scalawags

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde has defended the public shaming of police officers who are arrested for illegal activities.

He sees nothing wrong if policemen caught for grave offenses – including involvement in illegal drugs – are humiliated in front of other people and shown on television by media outfits.

“Ang sinasabi nila bakit lumabas sa (they are asking why it appeared in) media. We will use the media just to make a point, just to stress this effort of ours,” Albayalde told reporters in a recent interview.

For Albayalde, the media are an effective tool to show fellow police officers their seriousness in weeding out scalawags from the PNP.

“We will use all means available if only to show our organization, policemen and the public our sincerity in disciplining erring police officers,” he stressed.

Albayalde had been known for shaming police officers caught sleeping on the job when he was the regional director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO). He also ordered the reassignment of policemen who bashed him on Facebook to Mindanao.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) earlier said NCRPO chief Director Guillermo Eleazar could have violated the human rights of a policeman who was arrested for extortion.

Eleazar gave Police Officer 2 Marlo Quibete, a member of the Eastern Police District’s drug enforcement unit, a dressing down. He grabbed the policeman by the neck, pulled his hair and even shouted profanities at him.

Eleazar’s actions were aired by media outfits, earning both praises and criticisms from the public.

Albayalde defended Eleazar, saying the latter was overcome with emotions after a policeman under his command was caught for such a shameful offense. He added he could have done the same thing if he was in Eleazar’s shoes.

“There are certain rights that you have to waive as a member of the uniformed and armed service,” he said. “We are all government properties. Everybody is expendable.”