Vice President Jejomar Binay on Saturday called for discipline in the ranks of the Philippine National Police, so police personnel can regain the respect of Filipinos.
In a post on his Facebook page, Binay said he was saddened by the tarnished image of the police, due to recent incidents involving personnel who engage in practices like extortion.
He also said it was dismaying to read reports of police personnel engaged in crimes such as kidnapping, rape, and robbery-extortion.
Binay urged the police force to serve as models of discipline, especially in obeying the laws that they enforce, if they want to restore their image.
This includes obeying traffic signs such as ‘no left turn’ or wearing seat belts even when riding a mobile patrol vehicle.
“Sa usaping ito, ang ating kapulisan ang dapat maging larawan at halimbawa ng disiplina sa ating kapaligiran (Police must serve as examples of discipline),” he said.
Also, he said discipline serves as the guide in exercising duties and responsibilities.
Binay said rediscovering Filipino values and ethical standards laid down by our ancestors is crucial in attaining discipline.
The Vice President urged the police force, especially cadets, to lead the way in restoring the value of discipline which he said is crucial to national progress.
“Ibalik natin ang disiplina sa ating mga buhay. Ipamalas natin bilang mga tapat na naglilingkod sa pamahalaan ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaroon ng disiplina—ang pagsunod sa batas, ang pagrespeto sa kapwa, ang paglilinis ng kapaligiran—mga pangangailang di lamang para sa maayos na pagdaloy ng ating pang-araw-araw na buhay, kundi mga di-maiiwasang sangkap para sa pagsulong ng ating kaunlaran at kasaganaan bilang isang bansa (Let us restore discipline in our daily lives. Let us be real public servants and observe laws such as respect for fellow Filipinos and cleanliness),” he said.
He said that when he was Makati City mayor, he would always remind policemen and women who are newly assigned to the city that are to serve, and not to be served. — VC, GMA News
