The Neophytes at Checkpoints

Hole of Justice
by Peter G. Jimenea


The PNP Neophytes at Checkpoints


Critics cannot say this space has never been a friendly place for the police. They should know that I am very supportive of the programs of RD C/Supt. Cipriano Querol, Jr. and other high ranking officers of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) at Camp Delgado, Iloilo City.


I see their sincerity in cleaning up the command of scalawags in service. But sometimes due to workload, he and other top rank officers of the PRO6 may have neglected to monitor the activities of their uniformed personnel at checkpoints.


The idea of putting up police checkpoints in different areas of the city is good for peace-loving citizens. It intimidates the bad elements of society more so on motorcycle riders in tandem who are about to commit crimes.


But motorcycle riders are not third-class citizens that deserved disrespect from young police officers. My personal account on disdainful police manners at checkpoints on March 31, 2012 is another story that won’t go away.

The first incident took place in front of the Barangay Hall of Brgy. Calumpang, Molo, Iloilo City. I went out to buy fish from roving-vendors gathered at the nearby store for their cups of coffee when this new experience happened.


It was about five o’clock in the morning when I was stopped by a young police officer at a checkpoint, waving his hand as signal for me to park the vehicle at the roadside. Thereafter, he inspected my motorcycle’s plate.


With a sticker pasted on it, he knew the vehicle is registered. He then approached me and asked for my driving license in a commanding voice; “Your license.” What is somewhat missing in the empty life of this boy in police uniform is his GMRC - good manners and right conduct!


He even forgot to use the words of a gentleman such as; “May I,” “Can I,” or “Please” in asking for driver’s license he wanted to see. Even a “good morning” is stranger to him. He doesn’t have the faintest idea that as a taxpayer, I contribute a part of his salary, payments for house-bills and food for the family!


On what misfortune, I was again treated with the same bad manners and wrong conduct of police officers manning the UPV-Iloilo checkpoint in the evening of March 31, 2012. Except for a policewoman issuing PRO6 stickers, the checkpoint seems to have been overrun by rascals who knew nothing about GMRC. On how did they enter the police service the “Neuro” chief of PRO6 may have something to say about this!


There are motorcycles in the city that cost millions, more than some four-wheeled-vehicles but the rider-owners are simple people. On why neophyte-members of the PNP at checkpoints have less respect to motorcycle riders, perhaps there is a need for them to undergo a new training!


Look, ill-mannered young police officers at the checkpoints when talking to SUV vehicle-owners, looked like polite boys in school uniform. They can correctly speak “good evening po, sorry for the inconvenience but this is for your own good.” Walanghiya talaga, madrama pa!


This is not what we think the police business of neophytes in service is all about. Perhaps, for RD C/Supt. Querol to deliver the spanking they deserved for being stupid, is the best cure for disrespect and misbehavior!


I hope this serves as another lesson to young police officers at checkpoints who lack GMRC. The single motorcycle drivers are taxpayers too. Do not destroy their high-esteem to the PNP uniform you are so proud of, or else, they will tend to respect more the other party – which is not good for you and me!