HERE IS one police officer who has his gray matter right where it’s at, in the head that is. A rarity in the rank since this character Verzosa took over the helm of the Philippine National Police.
Senior Supt. Keith Ernald Singian, officer-in-charge – for the longest time now – of the Pampanga Provincial Police Office, has directed that police officers in the province worked hand-in-hand with media practitioners in the service of the people.
Explicitly, Singian instructed all police chiefs in his jurisdiction to be “more media friendly,” pursuant to the enhancement of “the partnership between the police and members of the fourth estate.”
Singian makes the very antithesis to the anti-media stance of his superior, as manifested in Verzosa’s declaration of the police blotter as “off-limits” to the media.
Higher goes Singian – than his chief – in his cognition of the police-media synergy: “We respect our brothers and sisters in the media, it is a noble profession. I believe that like our men and women in uniform we have our individual task. We, as policemen, are peacekeepers; while our friends in the press are the watchdog of our society, in any case we are both public servants.”
So, enunciated is a basic procedure at police stations: “When the media visit our police station, we must give due courtesy to them. We should not shy away, let us be professionals and do our jobs. One of which is to be of service to anyone who needs police assistance.”
“I tell my men to be glad that they (newsmen) visit your stations to gather news. It means that they are doing their job and we must also do our job as peacekeepers in our community. I tell our men to be fair, truthful, and transparent, because we have nothing to hide from the media.”
Even when stories churned out in the press are critical of the police, Singian says, “it’s all par for the course as we just have to respect one another’s profession.”
That the volume of stories on the Pampanga police tend on the positive side bespeaks not only of the cops doing their job – generally, but also of the stature of Singian in the esteem of local media. He is one fair, transparent, and just officer. Not to say a gentleman friend.
To which Gov. Eddie T. Panlilio would most certainly disagree. He has been calling for Singian’s ouster from the Pampanga PPO since Day One of his administration. It’s just too bad that the media appear to have higher respects for Singian than for the governor. Go, read the papers – not just Punto! – and listen to the radios and get my point.
Anyway, the state of media-police relations in Pampanga have always depended more on the police officers than on the media, the former being merely on “transit” and the latter more or less constant in the area. That is to be really kind about it.
It is the “character” of the police officer that dictates the relationship. If he/she is open, fair and friendly, then media would reciprocate in kind. If he is not, then God bless him.
I covered the police beat for a long time too as correspondent of the People’s Journal/Tonight and stringer for the Associated Press.
Media have had rows as well as rapport with a number of regional commanders, provincial commanders, metropolitan district commanders, station chiefs and even precinct sergeants then.
In the reminiscences of the “veteran” newsmen, the names Col. Amado T. Espino (now governor of Pangasinan), Col. Efren “Garambul” Alamares, Maj. Roman “Rapido” Lacap, would always be uttered with fondness. And of late, Col. Jimmy Restua too. For their professionalism, for their openness to the media and for the bonds of friendship developed through the years.
Of the current crop of officers, Singian – and Senior Supt. Nick Targa – would most surely make it as media friends.
Now, were other police officers as cordial and as professional…
