Manila, Philippines — Thousands of Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel were deployed across the country to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of nationwide public assemblies on July 19, PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. announced during the PNP Monday Flag Raising Ceremony at Camp Crame on July 20.
In his address, Nartatez commended police officers for carrying out their duties with professionalism, discipline, and restraint while respecting every Filipino’s constitutional right to peaceful assembly. He emphasized that the successful security operations reflected the PNP’s commitment to maintaining peace and public order while upholding democratic principles.
“Yesterday, thousands of our personnel were deployed across the country to serve the public assemblies. I commend each and every one of you for carrying out your duty with professionalism, discipline, and restraint. You preserved peace and public order while respecting every Filipino’s constitutional right to public assembly. That is exactly how a democratic police force should perform its mission,” Nartatez said.
The PNP chief also highlighted the gains of the Safer Cities Initiative, noting that focus crimes have declined by more than 20 percent in just over three months since the program was launched under the leadership of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla. He added that intensified enforcement of local ordinances has also contributed to creating safer communities and strengthening public confidence in law enforcement.
Nartatez, however, reminded police personnel that the decline in crime should not lead to complacency, stressing that every victim deserves justice and every police officer must remain prepared to respond with urgency, professionalism, and compassion.
“Every crime that occurs is one too many. Every victim deserves justice, and every police officer must remain ready to respond with urgency, professionalism, and compassion,” he said.
Looking ahead, the PNP chief also expressed confidence in the organization’s readiness to host the 44th ASEANAPOL Conference this week, where police leaders from across Southeast Asia will gather under the theme, United in Vision: Securing People and Strengthening Collaboration. He said the event will serve as an opportunity to showcase the PNP’s operational capability, professionalism, and the warmth and hospitality of the Filipino people.
The ceremony reaffirmed the PNP’s commitment to its Focused Agenda by strengthening police operations, promoting integrity and accountability, and enhancing community partnerships in pursuit of safer communities under the “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman.”—Graciella Diez, Contributor