News Release

President Duterte leads public safety officers graduation

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte confers a medal to one of the awardees during the joint graduation ceremony of Public Safety Officers Basic Course Class 2019-07 and Advance Course Class 2019-18 at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Davao City on February 20, 2020. TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

DAVAO CITY – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Thursday, February 20, graced the joint graduation ceremony of public safety officers and made a renewed call to law enforcers to fight corruption, criminality, and illegal drugs.

In his speech during the event held at Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center here, the President said the government is still facing a gargantuan task of eradicating narcotics trade in the country, warning the newly graduated police officers to stay away from illegal drug trade.

The police are arresting people and confiscating millions worth of contraband indicating that until now, the Philippines still has serious drug problem, the President said.

“Be a police officer, a truly one who is there to serve the people,” President Duterte said.

“You are my policemen. Huwag na huwag kayong pumayag na babagsak ang ating bayan,” the President said.

The President assured the policemen of his government’s full support particularly those who will face charges while doing their duties.

“Just let me know, let your CO [commanding officer] o sinong chief of police mo, kahit pa-ano lang, just give me the report. Huwag mo lang akong bigyan ng sinungaling na istorya,” he told the graduating officers.

In the government’s fight against corruption, President Duterte said he has terminated several Bureau of Immigration (BI) officials and personnel linked to “pastillas” scheme, which provides escorts to Chinese nationals undergoing immigration process in exchange for thousands of pesos in service fees.

The President backed BI Commissioner Jaime Morente noting that the BI chief’s authority is “limited.”

Prior to his remarks, President Duterte presented diplomas to the graduates of the Public Safety Officers Advance Course (PSOAC) and Public Safety Officers Basic Course (PSOBC).

A total of 57 student-officers completed the PSOAC while 55 participants finished the PSOBC.

The courses are designed to equip the officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) with knowledge, skills and proper attitude required for effective leadership and team-building. PND