Albayalde eyes surprise inspections nationwide

FILE: Former NCRPO Chief Director General, new PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde (Photo: NCRPO)

As part of his direction for internal cleansing and internal discipline, the Philippine National Police’s (PNP’s) new chief Director Oscar Albayalde said that he “expects” his commanders to continue the surprise inspections trend he started.

Albayalde during his inaugural speech on April 19, Thursday, said that he enjoyed the surprise inspections during his stint as the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Director; however, he noted that he may be unable to reach all the 2,766 police stations in the whole country.

“So I expect our provincial commanders and city directors to conduct these surprise inspections to regularly assess the operation readiness of our forces on the ground. I will be accessible 24/7 and I expect all our commanders to be accessible any time of the day too,” he said.

The new PNP chief also added, “I will not demand of you what I cannot demand of myself.”

Albayalde in his previous post in NCRPO was known for his surprise inspections in which he caught policemen who slacked in their work by sleeping and/or drinking. In one of the said inspections, he even arrived at an empty police station.

He also stressed how discipline will play its role in a policeman’s life under his authority.

“We shall impose and breathe discipline 24/7 and implement reforms in all levels in the PNP. First, we will show respect both to ourselves and to the public. Because genuine public service I believe is anchored on respect,” Albayalde said.

This was not the first time for him to air this intention on discipline as he has earlier mentioned his view after the President’s decision to appoint him.

(Read: Albayalde to impose discipline and responsibility in PNP chief stint)

“Here, as part of our internal discipline and part of our internal cleansing, we will put responsibility on various commanders on the ground down the PCP (police community precinct) level,” he told the reporters in a video conference on April 6.

“They will be made responsible for the deeds or misdeeds or the actions or misactions of all their subordinates o lahat ng tauhan nila doon sa kanilang opisina (or all their personnel in their office),” he added.

Albayalde’s predecessor in his new post was his batchmate at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Sinagtala Class of 1986, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

Dela Rosa retired from his uniformed service on Albayalde’s inauguration, as his PNP chief term was extended by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte by three months.