A TOP police officer in Eastern Visayas said he consider the result of the anti-corruption survey as a challenge to improve their performance.
Recently, the 2013 Global Corruption Barometer of the anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International labeled the Philippine National Police (PNP) as the most corrupt institution in the country.
“We must take the survey as a challenge to improve the people’s perception on us, it offers a great opportunity and room for improvement in the reform initiatives of the PNP to block corruption that has no place in the organization,” said Elmer Soria, director of Police Regional Office in the region.
Soria assured to “cleanse” their ranks and “improve” their service, saying they fully support the government’s campaign against corruption.
He also said concerns related to law enforcement are already being addressed under PNP Patrol Plan 2030, the PNP’s roadmap in attaining a highly capable, effective and credible police service.
The PNP Patrol Plan 2030 is reinforced by the PNP chief’s reform agenda that focuses on competence, organizational development, discipline, excellence and professionalism, he added.
Earlier, the regional office conducted a follow-up cascading of their plan attended by provincial and city directors and police chiefs in the region.
Soria said transparency and public accountability is the established norm in all transactions in the PNP.
During the PNP’s recent acquisition of pistols, they were able to save P200, 082.954.24 from the original P1.198 billion allocation.
The regional director also cited the high rating in a recent performance survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS), conducted during the Christmas holidays, which showed that six out of 10 Filipinos were satisfied with the performance of the PNP.
Soria advised his men not to be distracted by the survey and instead focus on their job to serve and protect the people.
The PNP strengthened their Internal Affairs Service (IAS) and the Discipline, Law and Order Division (DLOD) which serves as lead units in addressing issues on corruption in all levels of the organization. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)