PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to sustain efforts to rid its ranks of unscrupulous, abusive and corrupt police personnel who only undermine the police force’s gains.
Addressing the 124th Police Service Anniversary in Camp Crame, the President recognized the accomplishments achieved and improvements made by the PNP, including its latest technology-aided and faster crime response time.
“Huwag din nating kalimutan na bahagi ng banta sa seguridad ang mga nasa hanay na bumabaluktot mismo ng ating layunin. Aanhin pa ang pinaka-modernong kagamitan kung may iilang pulis pa rin ang umaabuso sa kapangyarihan? (Let us not forget that part of the threat to security are those within the ranks who distort our very purpose. What good is the most modern equipment if a few police officers still abuse their power?),” Marcos said.
“We do not condone wrongdoing among those who swore to uphold the law and to protect the citizens of our Republic. Inuulit ko: walang lugar ang katiwalian sa ating kapulisan (We do not condone wrongdoing among those who swore to uphold the law and to protect the citizens of our Republic. I repeat: there is no place for corruption in our police force),” he added.
The President said the PNP is also on the right track in terms of regaining and continuing to build the trust of the public through lower crime rates and improved operational capabilities, including modernization such as the five-minute response time strategy through the revitalized emergency 911 hotline.
Marcos, however, said that amid the modernization of the PNP, no technology could replace police presence on the ground, making it important for the police to be present and stay faithful to their sworn duty.
“We recognize that numbers alone cannot allay the fears of our people. As public servants, we do not ask people to celebrate statistics if their experiences tell a different story. And that is why we must regain the trust of the public through more decisive and responsive actions. And I believe the PNP is now on its right track,” he said.
The President also reminded the police force that just as they are upgrading their skills and capabilities, criminals are also getting sophisticated as they use new technologies in their nefarious activities.
“Inaabuso nila ang mga makabagong teknolohiya upang manloko, manlinlang, at mambiktima. Ito ang kailangan nating bantayan. Ito ang ating dapat sugpuin (They abuse modern technologies to cheat, deceive, and victimize. This is what we need to watch out for. This is what we must suppress),” Marcos said.
He reassured the PNP of his administration’s continued support as they pursue modernization and maintain operational readiness.
During the event, the President led the conferment of the Medalya ng Kagitingang Gawa and other citations to outstanding PNP uniformed and non-uniformed personnel for their “deeply commendable” contributions to public safety, community engagement, and institutional development.
He also visited the PNP Command Center (PCC) where he was briefed on the five-minute Police Response Time system and watched demonstrations of drone-assisted operations and the use of body-worn cameras (BWCs), 800 of which can stream live video.
CRIME RATE DOWN
PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III reported a 7.75 percent decrease in crime rate from August to June this year compared to the same period last year.
“We have brought peace and order more tangible to the public,” Torre said during the celebration of the 124th police service anniversary at Camp Crame.
Torre attributed the accomplishment to the intensified anti-crime drive of the police force.
“Crime incidents dropped by 7.75 percent with a total of 177,735 incidents from August 2024 to June 2025 compared to 192,677 from the same period of the previous year,” added Torre.
“This significant decline clearly reflects the effectiveness of our intensified anti-criminality operations, especially our increased police presence across the country,” said Torre.
In the campaign against illegal drugs, Torre said some P54.6 billion worth of illegal drugs have been seized by the PNP under the Marcos administration.
“In this period, we have conducted over 153,609 operations resulting in the arrest of more than 190,568 individuals and the confiscation of illegal drugs valued at approximately P54.6 billion,” said Torre.
Torre said the feat underscores the PNP’s “commitment to eradicating the scourge of drugs that threaten the future of our youth.”
He also reported gains in the field of human trafficking and scams, which he said led to the arrest of foreigners.
“Our anti-kidnapping efforts also exposed international crime syndicates as seen in the investigation of incidents involving Chinese nationals,” said Torre.
On the PNP’s five-minute response to 911 emergency calls, Torre said they received 3,574 calls to 911 from June 2 to August 10.
“We responded to almost 94 within five minutes. That is more than nine calls out of 10,” said Torre.
Torre urged policemen to continue “embodying the true spirit of public service.”
“Let us be the police force that people not only respect but truly trust,” said Torre.
DRUGS SEIZED
Police seized P1.428 million worth of suspected dangerous drugs and nabbed two persons in a buy-bust operation in Rodriguez, Rizal yesterday.
Col. Feloteo Gonzalgo, Rizal provincial police office (PPO) director, identified the suspects as alias Michael and John, both of legal age.
Seized from them were five sachets containing more or less 210 grams of suspected shabu. – With Victor Reyes and Christian Oineza
