Presence over response

We grew up being taught that “prevention is better than cure.” Unfortunately, in a world where “Reaction” is viewed as “Action,” those words of wisdom have all been forgotten.

Consider, for instance, the order of the new Chief PNP Gen. Nicolas Torre III that police response time must be within a period of no longer than five minutes. Gen. Torre is uncompromising about the matter because in his experience, it is a successful business model.

In fact, eight commanders have already been removed from their coveted positions for their failure to comply. Initially, and on the surface, who wouldn’t want that?

It is the best cure for those days when citizens had to go to the police station to report a crime because the cops used excuses such as “we have no gasoline,” “no patrol cars” or simply wanted to stay in their air-conditioned offices. Even then, getting a police report took days and some “merienda.”

I’m actually all for the five-minute rule, but within reason and logic. The five-minute rule reminds me of a time when other government officials claimed and tried to drive across the length of EDSA in five minutes. Yes, they did it but at two in the morning. Otherwise, it would be unsafe and impossible in regular traffic.

I asked around and from the looks of it, the five-minute response time is causing grief and trepidation among police responders and their bosses. It is also generating a sense of injustice and lack of fair play.

In order to comply, many cops are using personal vehicles (motorcycles) because the PNP does not have enough motorcycles deployed in various precincts. Police MC riders also use their own gas money, ride at their own risk to rush to an incident.

In all likelihood, responders on personal bikes do so with no real insurance, just third-party liability coverage. They also often counter flow on plain MCs with no sirens or police flashers. In an accident, who will defend or protect the police?

Another relearning that cops have to make is the use of police radios instead of the “established” practice of using cellphones, which can’t be monitored or intercepted by both the good guys and the bad guys. Re-adapting old technology and “radio lingo” is proving to be added work.

Fair is fair, if we want quick response teams, we must give our police officers the necessary support as well as rhyme and reason or logic in applying such a requirement. Most important is not to be harsh in order to solicit compliance and not fear.

Remember, the PNP remains civilian in nature. As good as it may sound, applying the blind obedience to orders void of justice and fair play cannot be justified by saying “there are a lot more where they came from.”

Why should one mistake or technicality which might not be totally their doing or the fault of an underling cause removal, reassignment as well as a negative entry in the service record of an officer who worked and earned his way to rank?

The Chief PNP may not want to embarrass the concerned colonels, but he has. The worst thing is when the solution causes more problems or if the solution is merely remedial. Gen. Torre wants his cops to be marksmen. Do they all get enough ammo and access to a nearby shooting range to regularly practice?

Thinking about it all, wouldn’t it be better if the PNP had more cops on the block, worked with and trained more force multipliers, upgraded the training and qualification of private security guards and barangay security personnel and created a “security network” in different localities?

This is not a suggestion but something that worked in Barangay/Barrio Kapitolyo just a few years back. A house being rented by a POGO operator was broken into during the “Ber” months caused by an inside job.

The robbers reportedly got P30 million-plus, locked up everybody and left. But one maid got away, told the street association security who radioed the barangay who alerted the police precinct. Fortunately, the barangay could close the gates and “trap” the culprits.

A shootout ensued as the thieves climbed over the gate, one got shot while the rest were subsequently arrested. About four of them turned out to be corrupt cops. Only P10 million was reportedly recovered and the POGO operator left the country in fear.

Instead of rushing to the scene at breakneck speed, pre-deployed cops within a “five-minute” radius would be more effective and safer. If Gen, Torre wants to raise things a notch, he should send out PNP personnel to do more “leg work” and “footwork” by doing more patrols instead of “malling” and watching TV sa presinto.

Gen. Torre should visit those barangay police stations as well as those in major intersections. They are air-conditioned, tinted or curtained for privacy and people can’t see if cops are working, gaming or snoring.

Even cop cars are heavily tinted and air-conditioned, so chances are there could be a shooting nearby and they wouldn’t hear it. Let every barangay set up video surveillance monitors.

How about pulling out all uniformed personnel and security escorts assigned to government officials and VIP businessmen? If Gen. Torre is serious about it, put the Highway Patrol back on the streets where they belong and not as escorts to congressmen, senators and Cabinet members.

Given the Chief PNP’s grace and favor with PBBM and Speaker Romualdez, he might as well cash in the chips for a bigger budget for more recruits, up-to-date equipment and technology as well as direct benefits commensurate to the service and sacrifice rendered by all PNP personnel. That would be the better response.

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