Far worse than the Mafia

Even with time since early childhood when his old man had meticulously explained that a policeman bedecked in khaki then, was a “protector” of the people, one did not outgrow one’s immaculate impression of the uniformed figure. And such pure childhood thoughts didn’t dissipate even after viewing a Hollywood movie about a “rogue cop”.

That was when purity of young impression was yet untarnished by prurient realities that some policemen would kowtow or prostrate themselves to “on the side considerations”. Even with common talks about “kotong” cops, the institution of peace officers is respected, grudgingly at least. Or else, and if not, what is there left for trust to live by?

Like in any other life’s calling, the 132,000 PNP commissioned and rank and file personnel in blue uniforms are of heterogeneous character traits or personality make-up. Despite psycho-psychiatric screening as a given, some “bad eggs” still get through. And so, the community has to live with the reality that the PNP, like any other public entity, isn’t a perfect or ideal organization. And that’s inevitable and a stark fact.

Despite glaring blunders, or blatant inefficiency in their performance, people may be tolerant. For instance, the much below par role of Manila’s Finest SWAT elements during the Hongkong tourists hostage-taking debacle, left so much bad taste in the mouth as regards international impression. While the almost “inutile” showing wasn’t the fault of the individual SWAT, nevertheless, their very poor performance didn’t qualify them as “heroes”. At most, they were also “victims” as mere pawns of the inefficient system and, not strictly “anti-heroes”.

With the bad memory of that Luneta hostage crisis still fresh, it appears that the PNP, particularly in the national capital region, is again at the limelight for much nastier “villain” role.

This time around, as shown in TV exposure, no less than six PNP members whose names and photos were graphically detailed, are allegedly involved in the kidnap-killing for ransom, of a couple of Indian nationals. As testified by a leader of the local Indian community in Manila and his witnesses, aside from the six, other suspects are also implicated in the cabal.

Engaging in major crimes, like, kidnap for ransom is no longer a case of petty “kotong” cop. This now appears Mafia-like crime syndicate, but much worse than the Mafia itself, because the rotten peace officers are active elements of the PNP, no less.

One sympathizes with the beleaguered PNP chief, Director General Raul Bacalzo who, when interviewed by Kabayan Noli on TV, had a very uncomfortable time answering pointed questions. As expected, Bacalzo went through the gamut of reviewing the long series of PNP problems, such as, weakening individual and unit discipline, the role of unit commanders, the recruitment procedure; the need of rewards and penalty sanctions, the organization’s logistics in arms and weapons, and uniforms, the family problems on education, and other matters.

What Bacalzo was discoursing covered hypothetical situations that beset the PNP organization. But what is actually happening now is the laxity or lackadaisical implementation of what in theory should have been done. Basically foremost is absence of discipline, a subject which the PMT and ROTC cadets used to memorize its definition at heart. Absent any discipline, loyalty to the service is wanting and, likewise there’s no esprit de corps.

One can only imagine the extent this band of “rogue cops” has affected the PNP ranks! Has the cabal spread to other units nationwide, or how big has such gang grown into? How long has their disloyalty to the service existed and, what crimes, and how many so far, have they committed?

Again, these “rogue cops” are much worse than the Mafia whose death-defying vow is the “omerta”, because they are like house termites that erode the integrity and stability of the PNP from the inside. The “protectors” of citizens are themselves the criminals!

The Latin maxim “O tempora! O mores!” (literally, “O the times! O the manners!”) could now be the Filipino people’s own shock expression of what dreadful times and actuations involving the policemen, no less.

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