THE NEWLY designated director of the Davao Police Regional Office vows to intensify the internal cleansing among its ranks as he warned the personnel not to engage in illegal activities.
This was one of the strong messages of Brig. Gen. Benjamin Silo Jr., from the Philippine National Police (PNP)- Information Technology Management Service (ITMS), who officially assumed on Thursday as the new director of PRO XI.
Silo replaced the outgoing director, Brig. Gen. Filmore Escobal, who is assigned to the Area Police Command- Eastern Mindanao (APC-EM) as acting deputy chief in a change of command ceremony held at Camp Quintin Merecido, Catitipan, Buhangin district.
“The basic principle in this kind of an occasion is that I’m going to continue whatever projects, programs, activities that have improved the police service here in PRO XI and it is my obligation to further improve it, innovate it so then the people of Region 11 will be the one enjoying the quality of police service being exerted by PRO 11,” he said.
He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the PNP for the trust and confidence that has been given to him to lead the police regional office.
“As your incoming regional director, I am honored to have been selected and appointed to lead and take command of this Police Regional Office XI is have a high reputation in the hierarchy of the organization and is known for many successful programs,” he said. “I am taking this challenge to deliver what this present PRO XI has achieved and continue what my predecessors, especially my immediate predecessor, Police Brig. Gen. Filmore Escobal, have started.”
He said he will fully strengthen and innovate the legacies and an obligation to further continue the projects and program so that the Davao region will be more peaceful and progressive to the best of my capacity and of course, with the hundred percent support and cooperation of the snappy and energetic personnel of PRO 11.
With the command of our President Rodrigo Duterte against criminalities, he added the PNP nationwide efficiently complied with this marching order to uphold the law in dealing with lawless elements and the war on drugs.
The newly designated regional director will be focusing on the internal cleansing and improving the discipline of our men “Hindi natin maipagkakaila na may Ilan pa rin mga matitigas Ang ulo sa ating hanay (We cannot deny that there are still crooks in our ranks)” he said.
With the marching order of PNP chief Dionardo Carlos to ban PNP personnel from online sabong, he reminded the officers that they would face the full force of the law if they were found guilty.
He planned on creating an Integrity Information Monitoring unit here in PRO XI. “I’ll make sure to the PNP personnel who are doing wrongdoings that the PNP internal machinery is strong and effective,” he added.
He further said they will intensify further the anti-illegal drug operations, particularly the involvement of some officers.
“Now is the time to put them (erring cops) to the place where they should belong and we will do this in the proper way,” he added.
During his speech, he also emphasized the importance of courtesy and basic skills, such as proper investigation, among the PNP members. He also affirms the PRO XI’s support to the NTF-ELCAC.
He emphasized the importance of courtesy of the policeman deployed to the community to bring back the trust of the people on their PNP. He encouraged the police to undergo specialized training on ethics and investigation, as well as the enhancement of the moral and dignity of personnel.
“All police should have an investigation training so that we assure that the cases we filed against are strong,” he added.
Moreover, he said the Davao Police Regional Office will boost and escalate the objective of Revitalize- Pulis sa Barangay in support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the conduct to end the insurgency operation.
He also said that he will improve intelligence gathering and collaboration with other units in adjacent regions and we will focus on the campaign against loose firearms that might be used in the coming election.
Silo said they will remain non-partisan and “that is why we must be cautious regarding our actions. We are here to ensure that the May 2022 elections is safe, accurate, fair, orderly, and peaceful.”
“Let us not Involve ourselves in any running politician for it is a violation under Republic Act 713, 3019, Omnibus election code, Commission on elections issuances and especially the PNP ethical doctrine,” he further said.
Meanwhile, he reminded also PNP personnel and the people to observe the minimum public health standard for this pandemic. “Be a good model to others whether PNP or civilian alike let us be courteous always and wear the uniform properly as it symbolizes policemen with discipline,” he added.
