My calling card not meal coupon

By Alcuin Papa
Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines -- It’s a calling card from Camp Crame, period. Not a flimsy “badge” to be brandished at traffic officers or parking attendants, a lifetime food-and-drinks coupon, or even a movie pass.

The newly installed chief of the Philippine National Police on Tuesday issued this stern reminder to hundreds of individuals to whom he had handed out his business card throughout his 33 years in the service.

“It is not a license to commit any infraction of the law, or even (enjoy) free entrance to movie houses or wherever,” PNP Director General Avelino Razon told reporters.

Razon, who formally succeeded retiring Director General Oscar Calderon on Monday, was asked at a press conference in Camp Crame how he intended to deal with influence peddlers or name-droppers, especially motorists who would show off such police VIP cards when stopped for traffic violations.

“The reason we are giving the cards is for the recipients to know where to send their correspondence, where they can call, e-mail or text us. The purpose is to bring the PNP commanders and personnel closer to our people,” he said.

Razon surmised that he had given out hundreds of calling cards since his days in the defunct Philippine Constabulary.

Before his appointment to the PNP’s highest post, he served as its deputy chief for administration, commander for the National Capital Region, and chief of the Western Police District covering the city of Manila.

Not employment agency

On his second day as PNP chief, Razon reported receiving a steady stream of visitors, including people looking for jobs.

“We are open to everyone, and if anyone asks for our help we put the request through the process,” he said. Yet later, he sighed: “Well, the PNP is not an employment agency.”

At the press conference, Razon also disclosed his plan to reword the ranks of police officers.

According to his “Commander’s Manual,” basically an outline of his programs as PNP chief, a “Police Officer” will become a “Patrol Officer,” while “Senior Police Officer” will be changed to “Supervising Police Officer.”

“The change is meant to convey the real duties and responsibilities of our police personnel. When we call them ‘patrol officers’ we know that their responsibility is to patrol our streets,” he explained.

Rename TMG

“Supervising Police Officer,” on the other hand, would connote that the officer supervises a group of policemen, he added.

Razon also proposed renaming the Traffic Management Group (TMG) as “Highway Patrol Group.”

The TMG is the PNP’s lead unit against highway robbery and car theft -- and rarely gets involved in traffic management, he pointed out.

“So it should be (called) ‘highway patrol’ since its job is (to maintain) police visibility in our highways,” he explained.

The PNP law may have to be amended to make such changes, Razon said.
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