“PUERA, sinda bulalakaw (Don’t strike me bulalakaw!)”
“Bulalakaw” is a mythical firebird in the Philippines. This creature of bad omen strikes with illness those who cross its path.
This “bulalakaw” landed in Western Visayas. He is Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, the new director of the Police Regional Office (PRO) in Western Visayas. He is brutally frank with his policemen, “married policemen with mistresses give the Philippine National Police (PNP) a bad name.”
An old adage says, “Drivers are great lovers.” That could possibly be true because other than his wife, a driver (especially if he is handsome) could magnetize passengers to his “side" - students, maid, married women, or even old maids. A driver is good at driving and in using his screwdriver.
What about our policemen (males)? The law mandates that they should “serve and protect.” This does not apply to all policemen but one of their attributes is they are daring notorious lovers. This could be real or could just be a product of the jealous mind of the wife of a policeman.
It is a fact that some women are attracted to policemen (married or unmarried) because policemen have guns (small or big). Some women are fascinated with guns - its shape, the size of the barrel, or the bullets inside the gun. The policemen carrying a gun projects a “macho” image and many women would like to confirm if it has been tested and proven.
Just like what President Rodrigo Duterte said, there are policemen having a “gift of tongue.” They can convince women that they are “action men” in service and in bed. That is the other use of their tongue. Policemen can easily soften the heart of women who are avid fans of a gun. Having the image of a “Probinsyano” ala Coco Martin is another factor.
Policemen are not just smart in their uniform and gun, their salary and allowances are also big. That is another attraction.
Many women are daring to cross the police line just to experience how a policeman apprehends and applies his “Miranda Doctrine.” That could be simple cupidity but it works.
At the start of his career, a policeman is assigned to many stations, towns, and cities. If he is a generous donor, he may have girls in all those areas and some are willing to get pregnant.
At the end of 15 years, that policeman may have 8 to 10 children other than his own children with his legal wife. During their reunion, they could have a United Nation presentation or form a football team.
Yes, many policemen have mistresses (intentionally or accidentally). Chief Superintendent Bulalacao has this to say, “though marital affairs are a private matter, the PNP does not condone married policemen maintaining illicit affairs. It is a sin against God and it destroys the image of PNP.”
That could be not funny if someone already knows the image of PNP. As part of his “sinda” (strike), he reminded the policemen of the ethical standards they have to meet: morality, judicious use of authority, justice, humility, orderliness, and perseverance. That could be observed and followed if some policemen do not have their “own standards.”
We can always hope that this is not another lip service under the new PNP leadership. We expect our policemen to toe the line and consider their wives their permanent holsters. I hope they won’t shoot indiscriminately anymore. Indiscriminate firing is prohibited because when the bullet flies, it is “to whom it may concern.”
Policemen should follow God’s commandment. “Thou shalt not covet (not omit) thy neighbor’s wife.” Don’t be like King Daniel and King Solomon. They have police mentality ahead of their time. If you have children dispersed in the past, know your children and support them or else they will shot you from their hip.
“Puera sinda bulalakaw!” I have my sympathy but you can be always good policemen without your mistresses.