New Year’s wish for the PNP
MY wife, two daughters and I are finally back from a long-planned holiday trip in the U.S. and as the new year unfolds, I extend my greetings and congratulations to all officers and men of the 232,000-strong Philippine National Police headed by General Rommel Marbil for a job well done in 2024. May they also be further strengthened by the lessons of the past year.
May this New Year bring good health, real happiness and prosperity to our policemen and their families. It is really customary for me to offer my best wishes for the force which again in 2024 had the usual array of successes and failures although they really keep coming back.
As we start the new year, I’m offering an unsolicited advice to the PNP leadership which is the need for more training for our investigators, our patrollers and all the others out there who are keeping the streets safe and make it possible for all Filipinos to sleep soundly in the confines of their homes 24/7/.
The creation of a real standardized basic and specialized training course for our policemen which could also be delivered online is now a norm in foreign police departments which can really be adapted by the PNP this time.
It is also time to really reevaluate if our officers really can perform their assigned duties physically? If they really understand their roles and functions? If they really have a proper understanding of the duties and responsibilities of a truly professional police officer?
It is heartening to note that the top cop has reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to advancing into a technology-driven, professional, and apolitical police force dedicated to upholding peace, order, and the Constitution as the nation welcomed the New Year last week.
In his New Year message, the top cop emphasized the PNP’s readiness to meet the evolving demands of law enforcement in the modern era saying that the police force’s modernization efforts and unstinting commitment to impartiality aim to solidify its role as a trusted institution in maintaining peace and security across the country.
“Peace and order are the cornerstones of a thriving community. As we begin a new chapter, I assure every Filipino that the PNP remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting lives, securing properties, and upholding the rule of law,” he said.
“We envision a modern police force for a modern Filipino society—responsive, professional, and attuned to the times,” he added as he highlighted the organization’s forward-looking vision.
The PNP chief outlined the organization’s focus on technology-driven policing, highlighting initiatives such as the deployment of body-worn cameras, real-time crime mapping, and enhanced cybercrime prevention units.
“In today’s interconnected world, technology is not just a tool—it is an indispensable partner in law enforcement. From advanced analytics in crime prevention to artificial intelligence in tracking criminal activities, the PNP is committed to employing innovative solutions to ensure public safety,” he said.
Gen. Marbil also reiterated the PNP’s commitment to impartiality, an organization fully devoted to serving the people as they prepare for the May 12 National and Local Elections.
“The PNP stands as a pillar of democracy, adhering to the principles of justice, impartiality, and service above self. We are a police force that prioritizes the welfare of the people, untainted by political affiliations or influences,” he said.
At the same time, he called for stronger collaboration between the police and communities, recognizing public support as vital to effective policing. “A modern police force thrives on a strong partnership with the people. Together, we can create safer neighborhoods and build a nation where peace and security prevail,” he said.
Gen. Marbil likewise pledged the PNP’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and professionalism in all its endeavors this New Year. “Let us move forward into this New Year with hope and determination. The PNP is here to serve, protect, and modernize for the benefit of every Filipino,” he said.
Thus, it is my wish to be a continuing advocate of best practices in the police force including collaboration with all its partner-agencies, industry experts and the people. The PNP remains to be a major player in the nation’s development and should it fail or succeed, so do we.
Let us really approach the New Year with a shared vision of peace and security in our dear country where the rule of law always prevail no matter what is your color and belief.
Before I end, I would like to greet some family friends in Los Angeles whom we met recently. They include my daughters’ best friend Rich Joy and her mom Raquel and stepdad Bryan. We spent Christmas and New Year in their home. Another surprise: we had dinner with my daughter Kyra’s college classmate Sophia, a daughter of a good friend, retired General John Bulalacao and her boyfriend Ken, the good-looking son of retired PNP chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde. Cheers.
