
Remula cites PNP for anti-crime success
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) headed by General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil has been cited by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor ‘Jonvic’ C. Remulla for its successful law enforcement campaign in 2024 which led in a massive 9.72 percent reduction in index crimes.
The DILG chief referred to the significant reduction in incident of murder, homicide, theft, physical injuries, rape, car and motorcycle theft and robbery which are all serious in nature, all achieved as a result of the antoi-crime programs launched by the police force which marked its 34th founding anniversary last Thursday.
In his message read by National Police Commission (Napolcom) vice chair and Executive Officer Ricardo Bernabe, the DILG chief said the PNP’s heightened police visibility and collaborative efforts with various sectors brought the index crime volume down to 34,841 last year, compared to 38,404 in 2023.
Remulla also commended the PNP’s efforts in bringing down cybercrime cases. “Likewise, through constant monitoring, detection, protection, and mitigation of cybersecurity issues, cybercrimes also dropped by 31.8 percent, with 14,529 reports in 2024 as compared to 21,300 in 2023,” he said.
During the event, a proud Gen. Marbil expressed his gratitude and pride to his personnel who have shown their unwavering dedication to ‘serve and protect’ the Filipino people even as he reinforced the PNP’s commitment to a safer, more secure, and progressive nation.
With the theme “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Kaagapay ang PNP para sa Ligtas, Payapa, at Maunlad na Pamayanan,” the celebration highlighted the crucial role of the PNP in fostering peace and security, in alignment with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of a Bagong Pilipinas.
“This occasion is a time for reflection and gratitude as we honor the rich legacy of the Philippine National Police and recognize the dedication of the men and women who tirelessly serve to uphold peace, security, and public service,” Gen. Marbil said.
The top cop also emphasized that the PNP Day is not just about commemorating past achievements, but also about reaffirming their commitment to serve with integrity and professionalism.
“It is more than just a commemoration of our achievements as an institution—it is a testament to our collective commitment to serve the Filipino people with integrity and dedication. We honor not only our uniformed personnel but also our Non-Uniformed Personnel, whose invaluable contributions ensure the success of our organization,” he said.
Gen. Marbil also paid tribute to fallen police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, vowing that their heroism will never be forgotten.
“We also take this opportunity to remember and honor our fallen heroes—those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Their courage and dedication inspire us to continue their noble mission of serving the Filipino people,” he said.
Sec. Remulla also stressed the importance of maintaining organizational integrity through the PNP’s internal cleansing program, ensuring that rogue officers are held accountable.
Looking ahead, he acknowledged the heavier responsibilities that the police force will face in 2025, including ensuring a peaceful and orderly midterm election, securing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) for its first autonomous elections, and preparing for the country’s hosting of the ASEAN Summit in 2026.
Officers and men of the PNP who were instrumental in the capture of fugitive Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy and dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo last year topped the awardees during the event.
The top cop said their major accomplishments last year include the capture of dozens of the country’s most wanted persons led by Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed ‘Anointed Son of God’ and their successful anti-drug campaign which led in the arrest of more than 57,000 target drug personalities and the seizure of some P20.7 billion worth of illegal drugs.
The top awardees were led by PNP Director for Intelligence, Major Gen. Westrimundo D. Obinque who received the PNP Outstanding Conduct Medal and PNP Service Medal for his role in the successful capture abroad of Guo and her co-accused Cassandra Li Ong and Shiela Leal Guo in Jakarta, Indonesia in August 2024.
The three fled the country at the height of the congressional investigation on a clandestine POGO facility turned ‘scam farm’ located just outside the Bamban municipal hall.
Former PNP Intelligence Group director, now Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, Brig. Gen. Romeo J. Macapaz also received the same medals.
PNP-IG director, Colonel Frankie C. Candelario, former PNP-IG deputy director, Col. Jeffrey Decena and PNP-IG officials Col. Jeric Villanueva and Lieutenant Col. Romeo Daquis also received the PNP Heroism Medal for their role in the arrest of Guo et al.
Macapaz also got the Medalya ng Pambihirang Paglilingkod and Bravery Medal for his role in the capture of Quiboloy.
Quiboloy’s arch-nemesis, former Police Regional Office 11 director and now PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director, Brig. Gen. Nicolas D. Torre III received the PNP Medalya ng Katapangan for his feat.
Brig. Gen. Portia B. Manalad, the director of the PNP Women and Children Protection Center and her personnel, Patrolman Cedrick Bernardo and Patrolman Bryan Jake Repollo received the PNP Heroism Medal for their role in the arrest of Teddy Jay Mejia, a suspected big-time Filipino child sex trafficker from Dubai, United Arab Emirates last September.
Lt. Col. Edmar Christian Tuburan received the PNP Outstanding Achievement Medal while Captain Luis de Luna Jr., Police Staff Sergeant Michael Barcelos and Corporal Norwin Pesalbon and got the PNP Heroism Medal for their role in the seizure of some 259 kilograms of shabu worth over P9 billion in Alitagtag, Batangas and the subsequent arrest of Thomas Gordon, Canadian national accused of being behind the multi-billion drug haul last April.
Police Senior Master Sgt. Ryan Mariano on the other hand got the PNP Bravery Medal for single-handedly killing two wanted murder suspects following a gunbattle in the middle of a. busy Zamboanga City street last New Year’s Eve. Mariano was shot by one of the suspects in the stomach during the gunfight.
Gen. Marbil and Atty. Bernabe also presented a posthumous award to Mrs. Angelica Espinoza, the widow of Police SSgt. Jhno Espinoza,a member of the Peñaranda Municipal Police Station in Nueva Ecija who was killed in an encounter with armed robbers at a local supermarket last October 20.
Mrs. Maria Luisa Valdez, the widow of PNP Special Action Force trooper, Patrolman Ian Valdez also received a posthumous award in the aftermath of the killing of the latter in a gunfight with heavily-armed men led by a wanted Abu Sayyaf member in Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi last May. Two other SAF commandos were likewise injured during the operation while one of the targets was killed.