(CNN Philippines) — To avoid the temptation of corruption, Deputy Director Gen. Leonardo Espina, officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police (PNP), gave the 5,000-strong police force of the Caraga region a simple but time-tested piece of advice: Don’t be a womanizer.
“Have one spouse, live simply and within means, be of service always to others and to your communities, and be role model to the youth,” Espina said in a speech on Thursday (May 21) at Camp Rafael Rodriguez in Butuan City.
‘ ‘2’: ‘image’: ‘jcr:00e1a877-48c6-4a57-9cce-37a418b76551’ ‘imageCaption’: ‘Before giving his speech at the awarding ceremonies in Butuan City on Thursday (May 22), Espina joined PRO-13 officials during their morning
“This is a reminder not only for Caraga cops but for the entire country — we must start reforms in ourselves,” Espina added.
Espina explained that engaging in extra-marital affairs would only create one problem after another, especially when cops retire.
He even joked: “At kahit sa burial benefits, nagkaka-problema kung sino bibigyan. Kaya isa lang dapat asawa para sa ating mga magigiting na pulis dyan — to avoid a headache in the future.”
[Translation: “And even when it comes to burial benefits, some encounter problems and could not decide who to give the money to. So to all our heroic police officers: you should only have one spouse — to avoid a headache in the future.”]
Espina also advised cops to love their work at the PNP because the National Police will take care of each member, even after a cop retires — and even when he or she is long gone.
He said that the PNP also watches over officials’ respective spouses and children even after a policeman’s passing.
Espina also told the Caraga police force that there was still much to be done in winning back the trust and confidence of the people. He cited that his own son had become a victim of rogue cops two days before he took oath as new National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief in 2012.
