SENATE President Juan Miguel Zubiri has expressed full support to the proposed Philippine National Police Modernization Bill, which seeks to further upgrade the ‘move, shoot, communicate and investigate’ capabilities of the organization and transform it into a truly world-class police force.

During the recent 122nd Police Service Anniversary where he was the guest of honor and speaker, Sen. Zubiri’s firm endorsement underscored the Pihlippine Senate’s commitment to advance pending PNP Modernization measures within the 19th Congress, said PNP chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr.

Among these pivotal bills are the Restructuring of the Philippine National Police, the creation of a National Police Clearance System and the Comprehensive Revitalization and Capability Enhancement of the PNP.

Additionally, the legislative agenda encompasses the establishment of a Forensic DNA Database in the Philippines, the bestowal of Subpoena Power to the Director of the Anti-Cybercrime Group, as well as the provision of Free Legal Assistance to Military and Uniformed Personnel alongside a suite of seven other vital bills.

Gen. Acorda said these legislative measures will help the police force uphold the rule of law while ensuring efficiency transparency and accountability.

“Our aim is to enhance public trust, improve community relations, and create a safer and prosperous environment for all Filipinos,” the top cop said.

During the 122nd PSA, Sen. Zubiri and Gen. Acorda led the giving of awards to outstanding PNP officers and men and units.

The awardees include Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office director Colonel Julius Suriben, who was adjudged as the Best Senior Police Commissioned Officer for Administration, and Staff Sergeant Ilena Sol-Josefa M. Jovita of the Police Regional Office, 10 who was cited as the Best Junior Police Non-Commissioned Officer for Administration.

The unit awardees were the Police Regional Office 11 headed by Brigadier Gen. Alden B. Delvo; the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 4-A, headed by Lieutenant Colonel Agosto M. Asuncion; the PNP Intelligence Group, headed by Colonel Romeo J. Macapaz; and the PNP Finance Service headed by Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey M. Masauding.

Other unit awardees were the Negros Occidental PPO, the Bacolod City Police Office, the Sorsogon City Police Office, the Isulan Municipal Police Station, the Camarines Sur 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company and the General Santos City PMFC.

Also honored were Lieutenant Ricardo B. Juhan, a young PNP Academy graduate who became a hero when he saved passengers of a burning M/V Lady Mary Joy 3 from drowning; the 605th Maneuver Company of the RMFB6, the Aklan PPO, the Davao City local government and Quezon City Police District director, Brig. Gen. Nicolas D. Torre III.

With the theme “Nagkakaisang Pulisya at Pamayanan tungo sa Mapayapa at Maunlad na Bansa,” Gen. Acorda said they were honored with the presence of Sen. Zubiri during their celebration.

The top cop said that as they reflect on their journey as an institution, “we are reminded of the unity, valor and sacrifice demonstrated by our courageous men and women in uniform.

Their dedication to serve and protect the Filipino people serves as the bedrock upon which the Philippine National Police stands tall.”

Gen. Acorda enumerated their major accomplishments amid the countless challenges they have faced, all of which made them stronger and more determined than ever.

Aligned with our commitment to the President’s mandate as expressed in the recent State of the Nation Address, “we proudly report a significant 6.87 percent decrease in overall Peace and Order Indicator as reflected in the 1st Semester Crime Situation Report wherein the Index and Non-Index Crime Volume both went down by 9.52 percent and 6.23 percent with 2.55 percent and 3.74 percent decrease in Index Crime Clearance Efficiency and Index Crime Solution Efficiency respectively.”

He said that from July 2022 to June 2023, they have also accounted for 84,663 wanted individuals; seized 50,106 loose firearms; neutralized 367 criminal gangs with 2,355 of their members now in jail; and confiscated an estimated P16.9 billion pesos worth of illegal drugs.

The PNP chief said they also prioritized bolstering the organization’s capabilities through their Capability Enhancement Program or CEP.

At present, he said that they have a 52.83 percent fill-up on their mobility assets, 74.68 percent firepower fill-up; a 28.43 percent fill-up for communication equipment; a 24.61 percent fill-up for Internal Security Operations/Terrorism Tools; and a 61.98 percent fill-up for investigative equipment.

Additionally, he said they have taken significant strides to improve frontline police services, completing 140 buildings and facilities, encompassing police station buildings, provincial offices, and other essential infrastructures.

In pursuit of their Five Focused Agenda and to support the current administration’s digitalization aspiration, the PNP chief said they also have heavily invested in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructures through the S.M.A.R.T. Policing Program.

“ Our main goal is to enhance police services and provide fast and high-quality assistance to our clientele.

In line with this objective, we have made the National Police Clearance System more accessible to our fellow citizens, ensuring a more convenient process for obtaining it,” he said.

Currently, a total of 353 Police Stations, Malls and commercial Hubs have been equipped with the necessary facilities to offer the particular service.

As a result, Gen. Acorda said they have generated a total revenue of more than P309 million and at the same time successfully put to jail 557 wanted persons who applied for the NPC.

“Our commitment to leveraging technology enables us to provide better services and enhance public safety through the recently launched i-Report — a platform which enables citizens to report crimes in real-time through the DICT e-gov ph super app,” he added.