PGMA's Speech during the 11th Anniversary of the Philippine National Police (PNP)

PGMA's Speech during the 11th Anniversary of the Philippine National Police (PNP)

Camp Crame Parade Ground, Quezon City (07 Feb 2002)

MARAMING SALAMAT SECRETARY JOEY LINA SA IYONG NAPAKAGANDANG PAGPAKILALA SA
AKIN.

TROOP COMMANDER, GENERAL FIANZA, GIVE THE COMMAND TIKAS PAHINGA.

GENERAL LARRY MENDOZA AT YUNG IBA'T-IBANG MGA OFFICIALS NG PHILIPPINE
NATIONAL POLICE; IBA'T-IBANG KASAPI NG GABINETE, NG KONGRESO NA NARITO;
MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC AND FOREIGN ATTACHE CORPS; THE SENIOR OFFICERS OF
THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES; OFFICERS, MEN AND WOMEN OF THE
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE; THE PARADING ELEMENTS; THE AWARDEES;
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS; LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:

ISANG MALAKING PAGBATI ANG PINAPAABOT KO SA LAHAT NG MGA PULIS NG PILIPINAS
SA PAGDIRIWANG NATIN NGAYON NG IKA-LABING-ISANG ANIBERSARYO NG PHILIPPINE
NATIONAL POLICE.

ANG PANAHON NG ANIBERSARYO AY PANAHON NG PAGPAPASALAMAT. UNANG-UNA,
NAGPAPASALAMAT AKO SA TEMA NG INYONG ANIBERSARYO ANG TEMA NINYO NGAYON AY
"SA SERBISYONG MATAPAT, MAY GLORYA NA KATAPAT." HINDI AKO ANG
PUMILI NUN SI GENERAL MENDOZA ANG PUMILI NOON. PERO TUTOONG SINUSUBAYBAYAN
KO ANG LAHAT NG GINAGAWA NINYO. NGUNIT, KAHIT HINDI PA MAN GLORIA ANG
AKING PANGALAN, SIGURADONG TAYO'Y HAHARAP PA RIN SA ISANG KINABUKASANG MAY
GLORYA O MAY KALUWALHATIAN KUNG KAYONG MGA PULIS, TAYONG MGA NAGLILINGKOD
SA PAMAHALAAN, AT LAHAT TAYONG PILIPINO AY MAGTUTULUNG-TULUNGAN UPANG
MAGAPI ANG KAHIRAPAN, MASUGPO ANG KRIMINALIDAD, AT MAKAMIT ANG KATAHIMIKAN
SA BUONG BANSA.

ON MAY 1 LAST YEAR, YOU DEFENDED THE PRESIDENCY AND CONSTITUTIONAL RULE.
YOU SHOWED TEMPERANCE, RESTRAINT AND COURAGE IN THE FACE OF PROVOCATION AND
DANGER. YOU WIELDED THE IRON HAND OF THE LAW BUT IN FULL RESPECT FOR HUMAN
RIGHTS -- THESE HAVE BEEN THE HALLMARK OF YOUR WORK.

LOYALTY, REFORM, AND ACHIEVEMENT -- THESE HAVE BEEN INDEED THE HALLMARK OF
YOUR WORK.

I AM GLAD THAT YOU RESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS KASI 'PAG ANG PULIS NAKAKALIMUTAN
ANG HUMAN RIGHTS ISANG ARAW SUMMARY JUSTICE, SUSUNOD NA ARAW KALABAN NA
NINYO ANG PINAPATAY KAYA HINDI MABUTI YON. YOU WILL THE IRON HAND OF THE
LAW BUT RESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS. AND I AM VERY GLAD THAT HAS BEEN THE
CHARACTERISTIC OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE IN THE PRESENT
ADMINISTRATION.

I AM GRATIFIED THAT THE REFORMS BEING DONE IN OUR NATIONAL POLICE. CRIME
SOLUTION EFFICIENCY IS HIGH. YOU ARRESTED 230 MEMBERS OF KIDNAP-FOR-RANSOM
SYNDICATES THIS PAST YEAR, COMPARED WITH ONLY 51 THE YEAR BEFORE. I
COMMEND YOUR PNP CHIEF GENERAL MENDOZA AND OUR ANTI-KIDNAPPING TASK FORCE
CHIEF GENERAL EBDANE FOR PRODUCING THESE RESULTS QUIETLY AND
PROFESSIONALLY. AND IN THE FACE OF STEEP CONSTRAINTS, I CAN SEE THAT YOUR
MORALE IS ENDURING. I THANK YOU FOR THAT AND I CONGRATULATE YOU.

ON THE DOMESTIC SIDE, YOU ALSO ENFORCED LAST NEW YEAR'S EVE A SUCCESSFUL
BAN AGAINST FIRECRACKERS AND THE FIRING OF WEAPONS DURING THE ENTIRE
HOLIDAY SEASON, WHICH RESULTED IN THE MOST PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR
CELEBRATION IN MANY YEARS.

AND I AM PARTICULARLY PROUD OF YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE GLOBAL AND REGIONAL
FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM. CAREFUL SLEUTHING AND EFFICIENT NETWORKING LED TO
THE SEIZURE OF EXPLOSIVE AND ARMS IN GENERAL SANTOS CITY AND THE ARREST OF
FOUR INTERNATIONAL TERRORISTS, INCLUDING THE INDONESIAN ROHMAN AL-GHOZI WHO
HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY THE SINGAPOREAN AUTHORITIES TO BE A KEY MEMBER OF
JEMAAH ISLAMIYA. THIS ACHIEVEMENT MARKS OUR DETERMINATION TO OPERATE
UNILATERALLY, AND TRILATERALLY WITH INDONESIA AND MALAYSIA, TO CONSTRICT
TERRORIST CELLS TRAVERSING OUR COMMON BORDERS. YOUR FEAT HAS NOT ESCAPED
THE EYES OF OTHER COUNTRIES.

KING ABDULLAH OF JORDAN IN THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM SAID THAT HE
SPECIFICALLY WANTED TO MEET ME BECAUSE HE KNOWS AND APPRECIATES OUR EFFORTS
REGARDING THIS. HE HAS OFFERED TO PROVIDE US WITH INTELLIGENCE ASSISTANCE
REGARDING THE JEMAAH ISLAMIYA AND ITS OPERATIONS AND NETWORKS IN OUR
REGION. INDEED, AS KING ABDULLAH SAID, THOSE GUYS YOU'RE FIGHTING ARE THE
SAME GUYS I'M FIGHTING AND I'M WILLING TO HELP YOU FIGHT THEM.

FIGHTING CRIME AND TERRORISM IS A GLOBALIZED EFFORT. ALLIANCES ARE
IMPORTANT AND WE MUST STRIVE TO EXPAND AND DEEPEN THEM.

BUT MUCH WORK REMAINS TO BE DONE:

ROOT OUT TERRORISM; WORK WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

RETURN THE REPUTATION OF MANILA AND THE PHILIPPINES AS A WELCOMING AND SAFE
PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE AND DO BUSINESS.

INCREASE THE BENEFITS FROM OUR NEW GLOBAL RELEVANCE AND ENGAGEMENT AFTER
YEARS OF BEING ISOLATED AND ADRIFT.

WE WILL MEET THE NEW ROUND OF KIDNAPPINGS WITH MORE INTENSE FOCUS AND
COUNTERFORCE. I HAVE ORDERED A CLEAR-CUT DELINEATION OF THE FUNCTIONS
ALONG ANTI-CRIME AND ANTI-TERRORISM FRONTS. LET ME MAKE IT CLEAR: THE
POLICE HAS PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES OVER OPERATIONS AGAINST THE PENTAGON
GANG; WHILE THE MILITARY HAS PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OVER OPERATIONS AGAINST
THE ABU SAYYAF. I AM CLEARLY DRAWING THESE LINES OF AUTHORITY AND
RESPONSIBILITY. AND WITH THIS I HOPE WE SHALL PUSH ON UNTIL ALL THESE
GROUPS ARE FULLY NEUTRALIZED AND ACCOUNTED FOR.

TO ERADICATE THE RECRUITMENT GROUNDS OF TERRORISTS, CRIMINALS, AND
DESTABILIZERS, I AM INSTRUCTING THE POLICE TO TAKE THE LEAD IN ORGANIZING
VISIBLE, SUSTAINED OUTREACH AND EMERGENCY EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS PARTICULARLY
FOR OUT-OF-SCHOOL-OUT-OF-WORK URBAN POOR YOUTH IN METRO MANILA.

WHEN THE POLICE MEAN BUSINESS, TERRORISTS AND CRIMINAL SYNDICATES ARE PUT
OUT OF BUSINESS.

WE WILL CONTINUE OUR LONG-TERM PROGRAM TO PROFESSIONALIZE THE PNP.

THE ORGANIZATION IS BEING BEEFED UP. LAST JUNE I CREATED THE NATIONAL
ANTI-CRIME COMMISSION TO MAKE THE AGENCIES IN CHARGE OF FIGHTING CRIMES
MORE INTERACTIVE.

FOR INSTANCE, YOU MAY HAVE ARRESTS BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOUR WORK IS
OVER BECAUSE IT IS INTERACTIVE, IT IS ALSO PART OF YOUR INTEREST TO SEE TO
IT THAT THESE ARRESTS ARE FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH THE APPROPRIATE
PROSECUTION.

I INSTRUCTED GENERAL MENDOZA LAST YEAR TO HIRE 1,700 NEW PERSONNEL, ALL
COLLEGE GRADUATES. THEY MADE THEIR FIRST APPEARANCE IN MALL ASSIGNMENTS
LAST CHRISTMAS.

WE ARE INCREASING THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF TRAINING PROGRAMS, INCLUDING
THOSE PROMOTING EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY RELATIONS. I AM INSTRUCTING THE PUBLIC
SAFETY COLLEGE TO ADD A SPECIALIZATION COURSE ON CRIME INVESTIGATION AND
DETECTION. AND I AM DIRECTING THE PAGCOR TO PROVIDE A SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET
FOR THIS SPECIALIZED COURSE.

MY RECENT VISIT TO LONDON, CANADA, AND THE U.S. RESULTED IN 1.2 BILLION
DOLLARS OF NEW INVESTMENTS. BUT IT ALSO RESULTED IN THE FORMAL COMMITMENT
BY PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR FOR SCOTLAND YARD TO HELP THE PNP BUILD UP THE
SKILLS AND CAPACITY TO FIGHT KIDNAPPING AND OTHER ORGANIZED CRIMES.
SCOTLAND YARD IS WAITING FOR OUR TROOP COMMANDER, GENERAL FIANZA TO GO
THERE TO LONDON TO DISCUSS THE DETAILED CURRICULUM WITH THEM. I HAVE ALSO
INSTRUCTED GENERAL FIANZA TO MAKE A SIMILAR FORMAL PROPOSAL TO THE HONG
KONG POLICE FOR A SIMILAR TRAINING PROGRAM AS A FOLLOW UP ON MY TALKS WITH
CHIEF EXECUTIVE TUNG CHEE HWA DURING MY OFFICIAL TRIP TO HONG KONG LATE
LAST YEAR.

I FREQUENTLY KEEP IN TOUCH WITH OUR POLICE OFFICIALS THROUGH COMMAND
CONFERENCES AND SOME OTHER INFORMAL ASSEMBLIES TO FERRET OUT AND RESOLVE
PROBLEMS. THIS INFORMAL ASSEMBLIES INCLUDE 1:30 AM TELEPHONE CALLS TO
GENERAL MENDOZA.

LAST YEAR I CHECKED ON YOUR NEEDS. AND I GAVE MYSELF TARGETS FOR PROVIDING
THOSE NEEDS. I AM PROUD THAT AS GENERAL MENDOZA REPORTED I AM COMPLYING
WITH THOSE TARGETS.

FOR INSTANCE, R.A. 8551, THE LAW TO PROFESSIONALIZE THE PNP, 10 YEARS AGO
OR 11 YEARS AGO, PROVIDED FOR A SALARY SCALE FOR POLICEMEN EQUAL TO THAT OF
TEACHERS. BUT FOR 10 YEARS IT WAS UNIMPLEMENTED, UNTIL LAST YEAR, WHEN I
GOT A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET FROM CONGRESS TO FINALLY CARRY OUT THE NEW SALARY
SCALE OF OUR POLICEMEN. AND THIS YEAR CONGRESS PROVIDED AN
EVEN BIGGER ADDITIONAL BUDGET, AND I THANK THE CONGRESSMEN AND
CONGRESSWOMEN SEVERAL OF WHOM ARE HERE FOR THAT. THIS SHOULD ENABLE US TO
IMPLEMENT THE LAW FULLY THIS YEAR.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK SENATOR NENE PIMENTEL -- THOUGH HE IS NOT HERE
TODAY -- FOR SUPPORTING THE FORMULATION OF THE NEW PNP RULES OF ENGAGEMENT.
YOUR NEW RULES OF ENGAGEMENT AND YOUR REVISED MEDIUM TERM PLAN FOR
DEVELOPMENT WILL FURTHER IMPROVE YOUR PERFORMANCE.

INDEED, LAST YEAR I ALSO LISTENED TO YOUR TALES OF WOE ABOUT YOUR
RETIREMENT PAY. AS A RESULT, THE BUDGET SECRETARY RELEASED FIVE BILLION
PESOS TO COVER RETIREMENT GRATUITIES UP TO JANUARY OF 2001. OTHER
OBLIGATIONS HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE 2002 BUDGET.

YOUR ADDITIONAL BUDGET AND SENATOR'S SUPPORT FOR YOUR NEW RULES OF
ENGAGEMENT EXEMPLIFY THE CLOSE-EXECUTIVE-LEGISLATIVE PARTNERSHIP WE NEED TO
SHORE UP LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THE PARTNERSHIP SHOULD EVEN EXTEND MORE WIDELY TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. AS
WE HAVE SEEN AS AN EXAMPLE FROM SOME OF THE AWARDS YOU GAVE OUT TODAY THERE
HAS BEEN A DRAMATIC RISE IN THE NUMBER OF CIVIC, RELIGIOUS AND
NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING THE PNP.

FOR YOUR HEALTH CARE NEEDS, THE CAMP CRAME HOSPITAL IS NOW BEING UPGRADED
WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE CHARITY SWEEPSTAKES OFFICE AND THE
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY. WE ARE ACQUIRING MODERN HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT
AMOUNTING TO 282 MILLION PESOS FUNDED BY A LOAN FACILITY SOURCED THROUGH
THE NDC.

WE HAVE INCREASED THE NUMBER OF EDUCATIONAL GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS TO
POLICE DEPENDENTS. THE MECHANISM IS NOW IN PLACE, PLEASE AVAIL OF THESE
OPPORTUNITIES.

YOUR PRESIDENT WORKS HARD FOR THESE BENEFITS FOR YOU BECAUSE YOUR PRESIDENT
TRUSTS IN YOUR SENSE OF DUTY.

I BELIEVE IN THE GREAT FILIPINO WORKER. WHETHER IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE OR
IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WHETHER IN THE POLICE FORCE OR IN THE CIVIL SERVICE,
WHETHER IN INDUSTRIES OR IN THE SERVICES, THE GREAT FILIPINO WORKER --
INCLUDING THE GREAT FILIPINO POLICEMAN -- IS A PILLAR OF EXCELLENCE, IMBUED
WITH A STRONG SENSE OF SACRIFICE, DISCIPLINE, AND PROFESSIONALISM.

PULSE ASIA'S THIRD QUARTER 2001 SURVEY CITED A 30 PERCENT NET APPROVAL
RATING FOR THE PNP -- CONGRATULATIONS -- AND A 22 PERCENT NET
APPROVAL RATING FOR THE PNP CHIEF -- CONGRATULATIONS TOO. BUT
WE MUST TAKE THIS AS A SIGNAL TO AIM HIGHER IN OUR GOALS. PUBLIC TRUST
MUST BE THE PRIME MOVER OF ACHIEVEMENT.

YOU HAVE MY UNREMITTING FAITH AND MY COMMITMENT TO PUSH OUR COMMON QUEST
FORWARD.

IN COOPERATION WITH ALL THE PILLARS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, WE WILL
STRENGTHEN THE RULE OF LAW PERMANENTLY THROUGHOUT THE REPUBLIC.

THE TASK IS DIFFICULT AND FULL OF PITFALLS, BUT WE WILL NOT ABANDON IT.
MUSTERING A SUPREME SENSE OF DUTY, THE UNITY AND SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE AND
THE INSTITUTIONS OF GOOD GOVERNMENT, WE WILL RESTORE JUSTICE, LAW AND ORDER
AND PUBLIC SAFETY IN ALL CORNERS OF THE LAND.

YES, THE JOB IS DIFFICULT, THE SACRIFICES ARE STEEP. SOME SUCCUMB TO
CORRUPTION AND ABUSE -- THIS PAST YEAR THE PNP DISMISSED AND CHARGED NO
LESS THAN 800 SCAWALAGS. BUT THIS SHOULD ONLY GO TO SHOW THAT THE PNP IS
CAPABLE OF CLEANING UP ITS HOUSE. AND I KNOW THAT MOST OF YOU HOLD THE
LINE OF COURAGE AND INTEGRITY.

SHAMEFUL LESSONS OF THE PAST MUST NOT BE REPEATED. FOR INSTANCE, WE MUST
NEVER AGAIN SUPPLANT MERIT WITH PATRONAGE. WE MUST NEVER AGAIN DIVIDE THE
POLICE FORCE BETWEEN THOSE WHO TOE THE POLITICAL LINE AND THOSE WHO DO NOT.

BLIND TO PARTISAN LOYALTIES IS WHAT WE MUST BE. WE MUST MOVE FORWARD IN
RECOGNITION OF COMMITTED, EARNEST AND EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE. THERE IS NO
GAUGE FOR EXCELLENCE BUT ACHIEVEMENT. THERE IS NO OVERLORD BUT THE PEOPLE.

SUCH PRINCIPLES INFUSE THE AWARDS WE ARE GAVE OUT TODAY. THOSE WHO
RECEIVED THESE AWARDS ARE OUR BEACONS OF SERVICE. WE EMULATE THEM BECAUSE
THEY SHOW THE WAY TO A LAW-ABIDING, COMPASSIONATE AND JUST SOCIETY.

AND I ASK YOU ONCE AGAIN TO JOIN ME IN FULFILLING THAT VISION OF A
LAW-ABIDING, JUST AND COMPASSIONATE SOCIETY.

ITO ANG IBIG KONG IPARATING NANG SABIHIN KONG DAPAT TAYO MAGTULUNGAN. SA
PAGGANAP NINYO NA INYONG TUNGKULIN, TINUTULUNGAN KAYO NG PAMAHALAAN UPANG
LALO PANG MAPAHUSAY ANG INYONG TRABAHO AT UPANG MAPABUTI PA RIN ANG INYONG
PAMUMUHAY. AT ANG ATING MGA KABABAYAN AY TUMUTULONG DIN UPANG HIGIT PANG
HUSAY ANG MAPAPAKITA NG PNP.

SA INYONG SERBISYO, HINDI LAMANG ANG INYONG PANGULO ANG INYONG KATAPAT KUNDI ANG BUONG SAMBAYANANG PILIPINO. TINATAPATAN NILA, TINATAPATAN NG
PAMAHALAAN NG SUPORTA ANG LAHAT NG INYONG MGA PROGRAMA TUNGO SA KAPAYAPAAN
AT KAUNLARAN. AT SA PAGTUTULUNGAN NG LAHAT, MALAKI ANG PAG-ASANG DARATING
NA RIN ANG LUWALHATI NG ATING KINABUKASAN.

MULI, BINABATI KO ANG MGA BINIGYAN NATIN NG PARANGAL BILANG OUTSTANDING
POLICEMEN AND POLICEWOMEN NG TAONG ITO AT BINABATI KO LAHAT KAYONG NARITO.
LALO PA TAYONG SUMIKAP PARA SUGPUIN ANG KAHIRAPAN, SUGPUIN ANG
KRIMINALIDAD.

MABUHAY KAYONG LAHAT, MGA DAKILANG PULIS NG BANSANG PILIPINAS.

MARAMING SALAMAT SA INYONG LAHAT.

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