PRESIDENT Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. on Monday exhorted the 226,000-strong Philippine National Police to work with integrity and honesty and perform their duties in full observance of the law which allows cops to resort to deadly force when it is reasonable and justifiable.

Speaking during the 121st Police Service Anniversary celebration held in Camp Crame, the Commander-in-Chief called on the PNP headed by General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. to specifically never allow dishonesty and abuse in their performance of duties.

Monday’s event was also attended by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin T. Romualdez, Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ C. Abalos Jr.

In his address, President Marcos urged police officers to do their best without sacrificing their integrity as public servants.

“I enjoined all of you to give it your best as you always have, without sacrificing your integrity as servants of the people. Let us be united in supporting the PNP leadership and its crusade against those who intend to inflict harm and disorder,” he said.

“Let us continue to conduct our business with utmost integrity and accountability and let us not allow even a hint of dishonesty and abuse to enter that narrative,” he added.

Describing the police as ‘vanguards of peace,’ the President said police officers are the example of the kind of leaders the country needs to overcome its problems.

“With solid support of vast majority, there is no doubt in my mind that we will overcome and triumph in the end despite all odds,” Marcos said.

At the same time, he also reminded police officers that the use of force when in the line of duty should always be reasonable and justifiable.

President Marcos emphasized that many police officers have manifested the important values that must be inherent in the conduct and execution of duties.

The Chief Executive also stressed that the police force should execute their duty with fairness and impartiality.

“Given the gravity, the seriousness, the difficulty of the responsibility and relative influence that you carry, it is a must that the application of your mandate is firmly grounded on moral principles, integrity, accountability, and honesty to ensure continued public rapport and support from the public for the PNP,” the President said in his speech.

“For instance, the use of force must always be reasonable, justifiable, and only undertaken when necessary. Execution of authority must be fair, it must be impartial, it must be devoid of favoritism or discrimination regardless of race, gender, socio-economic status, political affiliation, religious belief, and the like,” he said.

The President emphasized that the PNP has gone through many tough challenges along the way “as it continues to march forward relentlessly pursuing safety, security, and peace for everyone to enjoy and relish as we go about our daily lives.”

“To be honest, for the work that you do, I am more than convinced that police service is a calling that not everyone is capable of rendering as it requires a moral standard that is usually inherent in our being and demands enormous commitment and responsibility that sometimes admittedly are difficult to endure,” Marcos said.