MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. lauded the Philippine National Police (PNP) for making “significant progress” in rebuilding public trust through crime reduction, faster response times, and the integration of modern technology — while stressing that integrity and accountability must remain at the core of policing.
Speaking at the PNP’s 124th Police Service Anniversary in Camp Crame on Tuesday, Marcos cited a decline in crime incidents from June 2024 to June 2025 compared to the previous year.
“But we recognize that numbers alone cannot allay the fears of our people,” he said. “As public servants, we do not ask people to celebrate statistics if their experiences tell a different story, and that’s 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 credited the revitalized emergency 911 hotline and its five-minute response time program for boosting police services, noting that thousands of calls have been handled under the initiative, from routine assistance to search-and-rescue missions.
“Five minutes can mean the difference between safety and danger, even between life and death,” Marcos stressed, adding that police readiness must be maintained “rain or shine” and “no matter what time” to keep public confidence high.
The President also welcomed the deployment of drones and other modern tools to improve surveillance and operational efficiency but warned against complacency. “Technology will never replace the importance of your presence on the ground,” he said.
Marcos took a firm stance on misconduct, declaring, “Aanhin pa ang pinakamodernong kagamitan kung may iilang pulis pa ring umaabuso sa kapangyarihan,” and assured that erring personnel will face investigation and accountability.
He pledged full government backing for the PNP’s modernization program and commended awardees, including recipients of the Medalya ng Kagitingang Gawa, for their contributions to public safety, community programs, and institutional growth./PN
