Acting on the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to go beyond improving crime statistics and focus on making people genuinely feel safer, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Nicolas Torre III challenged the police force to step up efforts in arresting criminals and addressing threats to public safety.
While acknowledging that his “paramihan” challenge could encourage competition among the police force, Torre said police officers will not be given any arrest quota.
“Walang quota. Ang measure diyan is iyong reduction and elimination of the threat in our community, iyong pag-alis ng kriminal,” Torre said in a Malacañang press briefing on Wednesday.
President Marcos said that the PNP reporting a decrease in crime rate was not enough just to bring down crime statistics; people should feel safe, especially when they’re out on the streets.
The President said that while PNP reports of a decreasing crime rate are encouraging, they are not enough—the police force must ensure that people genuinely feel safe, especially when they are out on the streets.
Complying with President Marcos’ directive, Torre emphasized the importance of proactive policing, “Ako ay naniniwala, iisa lang naman ang paraan para mapatahimik natin ang ating mga pamayanan. Isa lang ang paraan para mawala ang criminality diyan, para maging ligtas at maging safe ang ating pamayanan, iisa ang paraan: Alisin ang kriminal sa ating community. Priority, alisin ang kriminal sa kalsada.”
The PNP chief stated that the law enforcement campaign will only end when no more criminals and threats remain in an area.
“Titigil lang tayo sa panghuhuli kapag wala na tayong makitang kriminal. At kung wala ng kriminal ay tapos na rin ang trabaho ng pulis diyan … Ito ang ating gustong i-emphasize diyan– huli, hindi patay, okay?” Torre said.
Torre warned cops who might try to plant evidence on suspects to justify arrests. “Kapag ginawa nila, idi-dismiss ko sila sa serbisyo, ikukulong ko sila for incriminatory machinations,” he said.
“Walang sinasabi diyan na alisin natin ang hindi kriminal, gawin natin silang criminal. Hindi ganoon. Hindi puwede iyong sasabihin na palabanin natin ang mga iyan. Hindi ganoon. That’s crazy. Ang sa atin dito, gawin nating payapa ang ating komunidad, at ito ay sa pamamaraan ng pag-alis ng mga kriminal. Eh iyong hindi kriminal bakit mo aalisin?” Torre said. | PND
