How to apply the other side of peace and order

YES, crime and criminals can be easily stamped out within three months, not even six months, as pledged by President-elect Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte. Mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino na pinakamamahal na paglingkuran at proteksiyunan ni Pangulong Digong (Long live the Filipino nation which President Digong greatly loves to serve and protect).

We have a great incoming president and a dedicated incoming Philippine National Police chief, Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa.

But we also need a strong, determined and committed secretary to lead the Department of the Interior and Local Government. The interior secretary has complete supervision and control of local officials, particularly those in the barangays, who are the national government’s first line of defense and frontline constitutional units tasked to implement the law and maintain peace and order in their communities.

In light of the above, I humbly and respectfully suggest the following:

1. Direct all barangay captains to submit names of criminals and habitual violators of laws in their respective barangays within five days from President Duterte’s assumption to office. These criminals are staying and residing in the purok (subsections) of barangays under the care of purok leaders and barangay tanod (village watchmen).

2. Check records and names of these criminals with the jail wardens in their respective provinces, cities and municipalities.

3. Refrain from going to the media with information on whatever “oplans” that are yet to be executed with the element of speed and surprise.

In this way, crime will stop. This is how law enforcers may apply themselves on the other side of peace and order: Let criminals die peacefully and be buried orderly.

God bless the Philippines.

God bless our President Digong.

Mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino!

—ORLANDO A. MACASPAC, retired general and former presidential adviser for police affairs to the Arroyo administration, Lubao, Pampanga