LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde, reminded policemen, especially those in command, to stay disciplined as they pursue their goal of fighting crime and illegal drugs in the country.
Speaking as guest of honor at the 117th Police Service Anniversary celebration in Cordillera on Friday, Albayalde likened discipline to a bridge for cops to reach their goals in police service.
“Let us build more bridges and make them stronger. With firm discipline in our ranks, we will be able to fight the illegal drugs problem more efficiently and effectively,” he said at the grounds of the Police Regional Office in Cordillera (Procor) at Camp Dangwa in La Trinidad, Benguet.
Albayalde noted that in recent weeks, some uniformed men were reported to have been involved in the illegal drugs trade.
“And what is truly unfortunate is that our problem not only includes the lower ranks, but also the officers, especially in the middle level, who directly supervise the personnel on the ground,” he lamented.
The PNP chief said commanders are responsible for disciplining their ranks.
“Again, I want to send the message to all commanders that I hold them responsible for disciplining their personnel, instituting a culture of self-respect and respect for others, and upholding the integrity and honor of the organization,” he stressed. “And I expect these commanders to lead by example.”
Albayalde emphasized the importance of discipline in the police ranks, as he led other PNP officials in the celebration with the theme, “Pagbabago sa Hanay ng Pulisya, Hatid ay Ligtas na Pamayanan, Laban sa Kurapsyon, Krimen at Iligal na Droga.”
“I will continue to do so, if only to instill in every member of this organization a stronger sense of discipline that will make the difference in the performance of your duties,” he said. “We will do this together as a fighting force against the evil elements that continue to harm our countrymen.”
Albayalde, however, lauded the strong police presence in the communities in Cordillera, which, he said, has brought down crime rate in the region.
During the event, Albayalde led the awarding and recognition of police units and policemen for their accomplishments.
“It is, therefore, fitting that we honor today not only the heroism of our forebears who brought the police service to life 117 years ago, but of the gallantry, hard work, and selfless service of the Police Regional Office Cordillera during and after the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong. You indeed made the entire PNP proud,” he said.
This year’s Unit Awardees were: Best Police Provincial Office — Benguet PPO; Best Municipal Police Station — La Trinidad MPS (Benguet PPO); Best City Police Station — Police Station 1, Baguio City Police Office (BCPO); Best Provincial/City Mobile Force Company — Kalinga PMFC; Best National Operational Support unit — Regional Intelligence Unit 14; Best National Administrative Support Unit — Regional Health Service; Best Women and Children Protection Desk — Flora MPS, Apayao PPO; Best Police Human Rights Desk — Buguias MPS, Benguet PPO; Best Police Strategy Management Unit — Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) – 15.
Special awards were also given to Ifugao Provincial Police Office (IPPO), for maintaining a drug-free province; Abra PPO, for having the most number of accounted loose firearms; Mountain Province PPO, for having the most number of arrested wanted persons and recording the lowest crime rate; Tayum MPS, Abra PPO, and Kalinga PPO, for attaining the highest crime solution efficiency; Lamut MPS of Ifugao PPO and Baguio Police Office, for achieving the highest crime clearance efficiency; and Calanasan MPS and Apayao PPO, for having the most peaceful municipalities. (Primo Agatep/PNA)
