Eleazar fixes windows fast
Maintaining cleanliness is part of the revitalized internal cleansing program of the Philippine National Police
Just like trash, petty crimes are bound to worsen if not nipped in the bud at the early stage.
This is what National Capital Region Police
Office (NCRPO) director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar’s advocacy for “exaggerated cleanliness” is all about. Appearing before the “Straight Talk with Daily Tribune” yesterday, Eleazar stressed the need to instill in every policeman’s mind to promote cleanliness – starting with the police station and its immediate surroundings. He cited the broken windows theory in which criminal intention grows while small crimes are neglected.
“In the theory, the presence of petty or small crimes encourages an urban environment in which bigger crimes are induced. These small crimes are like dirt, if left unattended it will go from bad to worse,” he added.
Cleanliness overdrive
Eleazar pointed out that maintaining cleanliness is part of the revitalized internal cleansing program of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
But Eleazar’s “exaggerated cleanliness” does not only cover material surroundings but more importantly cleanliness in character of every policeman.
“Exaggerated cleanliness is not only cleanliness in the office and surroundings but it’s the cleanliness of what we do, the cleanliness of our ranks, the cleanliness of the community,” Eleazar explained.
The NCRPO chief stressed that his advocacy would also lead police closer to the community as the stations would be more “welcoming” to civilians for their complaints or report. He said that dirty police offices drive away the public.
Guiding spirit
The NCRPO chief explained that President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to crack down on bystanders actually triggered the strict implementation of city ordinances around Metro Manila.
“It is very important to implement ordinances like anti-littering, antidrinking in public places because these can lead to more threatening or serious crimes,” said Eleazar.
Eleazar has been going around various police stations in Metro Manila to ensure that all NCRPO units are compliant to the “exaggerated cleanliness” policy.
“We need to address these small problems so that they will not grow and spread,” he said.
He said there are 193 Police Community Precincts (PCP), 28 police stations, five police districts and a regional office in Metro Manila.
Be always prepared
Eleazar warned that all policemen should be ready for inspection as he had started going around to check police offices.
During the interview, Eleazar also cited a 52 percent drop in the crime index during the first three years of the Duterte administration compared to the first three years of the previous administration of President Benigno Aquino.
A bigger 57 percent decrease in crime index was recorded compared to the last three years of the Aquino administration.
Eleazar attributed the decline in the number of crimes to the administration’s all-out campaign against illegal drugs.
“Almost all, if not all, crimes here in Metro Manila are related to illegal
His advocacy would also lead police closer to the community as the stations would be more “welcoming” to civilians for their complaints or report.
President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to crack down on bystanders actually triggered the strict implementation of city ordinances.
drugs,” said Eleazar.
In the ongoing internal cleansing program of NCRPO, Eleazar said that during the past three years, a total of 711 policemen were dismissed from service due to various administrative offenses. A total of 190 NCRPO personnel were also demoted and 1,278 suspended.
Eleazar stressed that a one-day suspension means no bonus for a policeman.
“We have three forms of sanctions in our internal cleansing, these are preventive, punitive and reformative or restorative. This is the most opportune time to implement this,” said Eleazar, citing the huge increase in the salary of policemen.
Where cleanliness starts
Eleazar added that in line with the “exaggerated cleanliness” drive, he ordered all PCP in Metro Manila to be clean.
“In general, I am satisfied but we can do more improvement. The people’s trust will be restored if they see clean surroundings of police stations,” he added.
He also urged people within the vicinity of the PCP to provide garbage bags in their places to reduce scattered trash.
“We will continue to help the local government units of Metro Manila to implement their ordinances because we all have the same goal which is to make the streets of Metro Manila safe,” he stressed.
Eleazar also appealed to the public to cooperate with the police and be careful of muggers, snatchers and hold-uppers.
He noted that the best anti-criminality measure is the vigilance of the public, particularly in implementing selfprotection measures against criminal elements.