Danao grateful to PNP after 3-month stint as OIC
LIEUTENANT General Vicente D. Danao Jr. on Wednesday thanked all officers and men of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who helped him effectively carry out his job as PNP Officer-in-Charge (PNP-OIC) since last May 8.
The member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Sambisig” Class of 1991 stint as PNP-OIC ended last Monday when President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. (PBBM) designated Gen. Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. of PMA “Makatao” Class of 1989 as his first appointed chief of PNP and the 28th head of the police force since it was created in 1991.
“I have nothing but gratitude to express to everyone who helped and worked with me during my three-month stint as Officer-in-Charge of the Philippine National Police. Every one of you became a part of my commitment and dedication to achieving lasting peace and order in our country,” Danao said.
“To all the 226,000 PNP uniformed and non-uniformed personnel, thank you very much for being there to make my job easier to accomplish especially during the successful conduct of the National and Local Elections, the inauguration of the newly elected President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. as well as his first State of the Nation Address [SONA]. Naging matagumpay ang lahat ng ito dahil sa inyo, sa ating mga pulis na nasa ground at nagbabantay, sa mga pulis na umulan man o umaraw ay patuloy sa pagpapatupad ng kanilang sinumpaang tungkulin,” he added.
Under Danao, the PNP scored big in its anti-criminality, anti-terror, and anti-corruption campaign, since last May 8, the PNP-Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG) led by Brig. Gen. Randy Q. Peralta alone accounted for more than P1 billion worth of shabu and other prohibited drugs.
Last week, Danao and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos Jr. motored to San Fernando City in Pampanga to lead the inspection of some 60 kilograms of shabu worth P408 million seized by PNP-DEG agents.
From July 25-28 alone, the PNP-DEG accounted for some P642.4 million worth of shabu and marijuana, 41 drug personalities, and dozens of high-powered weapons and ammunition amid an order from PBBM for the police force to continue its “war on drugs” in full observance of the rule of law.
Returning to his old post as PNP Deputy Chief for Operations – the 3rd highest position in the organization, Danao called on all members of the force to rally behind Gen. Azurin.
“Now, I urge you to continue doing your best in providing genuine service and support for all the upcoming plans and programs of our newly installed [PNP Chief], Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. I hope you will continue to support General Azurin in the same way you have supported me,” he said.
“Again, my sincere appreciation to all, and keep up the good work as we remain determined and inspired in carrying out the plans and programs of General Azurin that will greatly contribute to our vision of becoming a highly capable, effective, and credible police force,” said Danao.
Danao’s name will be permanently “enshrined” in PNP history and listed in the gallery of those who led the PNP, actually the 3rd to head the police force in an OIC capacity for more than 11 weeks.
The PNP Officers’ Corps and all other personnel of the police force have rallied behind Azurin and pledged to support the new PNP chief, who is set to lead them in implementing the peace and order programs of the Marcos administration.
“Keep up the good work, and may you all remain strong-willed and inspired in implementing our plans and programs that will help in the attainment of our vision of becoming a highly capable, effective, and credible police service,” he said.
“To wrap it up, I hope that my professionalism and devotion to duty as a police officer will inspire all of you who will eventually inherit the mantle of leadership of the police force. This means a firm commitment to law enforcement and a strong resolve to serve the nation and our people,” Danao added.
