ILOILO – Everybody must be all eyes to the common enemy – coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In battling such, the Philippine National Police (PNP) must also be up there to strictly implement minimum health protocols down to the barangay level.
This, among others, was what Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar should underline in his six-month stint as new PNP chief, according to local chief executives in Western Visayas.
While he commends the efforts of the local police, Iloilo’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. wanted health protocols such as ban on public gatherings, social distancing and wearing of face protection, among others, “ma-implement gid asta sa kabaranggayan.”
Defensor reiterated that based on contact tracing records, gatherings like fiesta, baptism, wedding, birthdays, and other events in barangays, have become major causes of local transmission.
For Capiz’s Gov. Esteban Contreras, “mas maayo gid kon sa PNP chief maghalin ang directive for stricter enforcement (of health protocols).”
With this, Contreras said, people will be more obligated to wear facemasks and avoid gatherings, among others.
“Subong ginapasalamatan naton ang pag-augment or bulig sang PNP sa aton,” Contreras told Panay News.
He added: “Siempre kulang-kulang gamay but probably sa pagpungko sang aton PNP chief magalain na.”
Contreras also pointed out that Eleazar should also focus on PNP’s peace and order and anti-crime prevention efforts following the daylight murder of John Heredia, municipal administrator of Pilar, Capiz.
“I just hope na with his (Eleazar) leadership, basi kon mapahagan-hagan ukon madula na ini kay siempre makaapekto ini sia sa aton nga ekonomiya,” the governor stressed.
Contreras is also hoping Eleazar could pay a visit to Capiz “para matilawan man niya ang ginapabugal ta nga seafoods.”
On the other hand, Antique’s Gov. Rhodora Cadiao is more sentimental.
She said she is hopeful that under Eleazar’s watch, misbehaving cops won’t be protected nor tolerated.
“They had a lot of promises,” Cadiao told Panay News, pertaining to the previous police chiefs. “At the end of the day, they still protect their own mista, ibig sabihin when wrong, it is wrong dapat.”
The governor pressed: “Ang sa akon lang: you walk the talk.”
Moreover, just like what the other governors said, Cadiao would want the PNP chief to follow President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to strictly enforce the wearing of face masks.
However, she clarified, violators need not be detained but rather reprimanded.
Meanwhile, Guimaras’ Vice Gov. John Edward Gando echoed the governors’ call.
“Ang compliance naton sang minimum health standards. Amo gid na ‘ya para sa akon ang tulutokan,” Gando said in an interview with Panay News.
Aside from that, Gando added, the police should also strengthen their campaigns against illegal drugs and criminality.
Gando also pointed out that “reform within police ranks” is important as there are still police officers who could not live up to the expectations of the public./PN
