Albayalde hurls challenge to new Highway Patrol Group director

August 16, 2019

The head of the Philippine National Police (PNP) warned the new head of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) that once an HPG member is arrested due to bribery, both will be relieved.  

Police General Oscar Albayalde posed this challenge to newly-assigned Police Brigadier General Eliseo Cruz during the turnover ceremonies.

“Let me pose this challenge also to the newly-installed director of the Highway Patrol, once I arrest a member of a Highway Patrol Group due to bribery (kotong), I will relieve that officer together with you,” he said.

Albayalde asked Cruz if he is open to his challenge and the new director shouted “yes!”.

The PNP chief said he received complaints from those who deliver supplies such as rice and vegetables that one of the reasons for price hike is because members of HPG is asking for money.

“This is the very reason checkpoints in national highways were removed… so this is what we said that there is always a time to change. We need to change because this is what the people wants. This is what we want in the Philippine National Police,” he said.

“Let’s change our image, let’s change our attitude. Gone were the days that we will only work if we are paid extra,” he added.

Albayalde even recalled his own experience when one HPG officer stopped him and planned to ask for money from him.

“I have a car… it’s been with me for five or six years. I was driving with my family when I was asked to stop by a PNCO (Police Non-Commissioned Officer)… so I asked him what is my offense. Then maybe he felt that I may be a police officer he said 'there is no problem sir, you can now go''' he said.

Albayalde said if this happens to a citizen, maybe the officer will ask for a bribe.

“This is the very reason I want to be here this afternoon, just to ask all the senior officers: Let us supervise our people. Our people are pitiful, especially the jeepney drivers. Some of their earnings go to the police,” he said.

Albayalde hoped officers who do these kinds of illegal activities should stop.

“This is the reason why we put Cruz here… because we know that he can help correct the wrong activities of some of us and hopefully, with the leadership of Cruz, the image not only of the Highway Patrol Group but the whole Philippine National Police will improve,” he said.

Cruz said he is grateful the PNP leadership trusted him to be the new director.

“I wish to express my eternal gratitude to our chief of the Philippine National Police, Police General Oscar Albayalde for his continued trust and confidence in me. For entrusting me this another position of greater responsibilities making me now a key player in the PNP’s campaign against carnapping, high-jacking and highway robbery,” he said.

Cruz also thanked National Capital Region Police Office chief Major General Guillermo Eleazar for supporting his career advancement.

Cruz said he knows  his new assignment is to combat lawlessness in the highways.

He warned members of the HPG that under his leadership, he will strengthen their internal cleansing program against rogue cops who ask money from motorists and hiding confiscated vehicles to be used for their personal business.

“We will remain steadfast and relentless in our campaign,” he said.

Cruz is the former director of the Southern Police District while the former HPG Director, Police Brigadier General Roberto Fajardo, is the new head of the Civil Security Group. Ella Dionisio/DMS