Philippine National Police chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, on Tuesday assured leaders of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) that the police organization in the country is more disciplined now than before.

Eleazar told lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, BARMM interior minister, that the police in the Bangsamoro region is now well organized, well-disciplined, and more ready to serve and protect the people.

Eleazar was here since Monday night for an inspection at the city police office after visiting the PNP headquarters in Tawi-Tawi, the second stage of his three-day swing to PNP offices in the BARMM.

He also inspected the Police Regional Office (PRO)-BARMM headquarters in nearby Parang, Maguindanao.

On Sunday, Eleazar likewise visited the police offices in Maimbung, Sulu, and those in Basilan province.

“Personally, I was surprised to see our police stations in the region where I visited unannounced,” he said. “Due to bad weather, our helicopter was diverted on Monday morning to the Jolo police office in Sulu which was not part of our itinerary after our visit to Tawi-Tawi, and I was surprised that the Sulu stations were very clean, organized, and beautiful.”

Eleazar was referring to the Jolo police station and the Sulu provincial police headquarters, both situated in the municipality, which he described as “very tidy” in appearance.

On Tuesday morning, Sinarimbo briefed Eleazar on the support provided by the region’s Ministry of the Interior and the Local Government to the PRO-BARMM, as well as their backing to the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in the area.

The PNP chief appreciated and lauded BARMM for the assistance extended to the police organization.

Speaking to police officers and BARMM officials, Eleazar said he was pushing for the intensified cleanliness policy in the PNP organization.

“Small problems must be addressed immediately to prevent these problems from getting worst,” he said, adding he found out that police offices across the region have also observed cleanliness in the city and municipal levels.

After meeting with BARMM officials, Eleazar and the party proceeded to Marawi City in Lanao del Sur to complete his three-day inspection tour.

The BARMM covers the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi; the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi; and also the 63 villages in six towns of North Cotabato.

The PNP chief’s party is expected to return to Camp Crame in Manila on Tuesday afternoon. (PNA)