THE Supreme Court's ruling against the constitutionality of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) would not hamper the government to push for the modernization of the Philippine National Police (PNP), President Benigno Aquino III said Friday.
"Huwag kayong mag-alala na 'di matutupad ang ating plano para sa shoot, scoot, and communicate, dahil sa naging desisyon sa DAP," the Aquino said in his speech during the 113th police service anniversary.
Shoot, scoot, communicate is a program that will update the weapons, equipment, and communications facilities of both the military and the police.
The high court recently declared as unconstitutional parts of DAP, a mechanism where pooled government savings were allotted to fast moving projects to pump-prime the economy.
"Patuloy tayong gumagawa ng hakbang para masigurong tuloy-tuloy ang inyong modernisasyon," Aquino said.
He cited that in the proposed budget for next year, the government has earmarked P2 billion for the PNP's Capability Enhancement Program and P100 million for the construction of 18 police stations.
"Bukod sa paghahanap ng paraan para maparami ang inyong bilang, plano rin sana nating bumili pa ng mga kinakailangang kagamitan tulad ng mga radyo at patrol vehicle," he added.
The President said his administration was also trying to fix the pension for the retired policemen.
"Sinasagad nga po natin ang ating pagkakataong mabigyan ng benepisyo ang ating kapulisan. Ganito po ang ibig-sabihin ng matuwid na pamamahala: ang pangangailangan ng ating unipormadong hanay, tinutugunan. Ang alagad ng batas, inaalagaan at sinusuklian ng kalinga ng pamahalaan at ng estado," he said.
During the ceremony, PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima, in his speech, took the chance to thank President Aquino for his "unending" support to the national police agency.
"Nais kong ipaabot sa ating Pangulo sa kanyang masugid na pagsuporta sa kapulisan at pagbigay ng kaukulanh atensyon sa ating mga programa upang maiangat ang antas ng panunungkulan sa pagsugpo at paglutas ng krimen," he said.
Purisima said that after more than a century of being in the service, the men of the PNP who pledged to serve and protect the country and its people remains honest and loyal to their promises although "they are facing greater challenges."
"Nanatiling matatag pa rin ang kapulisan patunay lamang ay kung paano nalampasan ang lindol sa Bohol, hagupit ng (Typhoon) Yolanda sa kabisayaan, paglusob ng mga NPA sa mga inaugurations at pagsukol sa masasamang elemento sa Zamboanga City," he said.
Purisima said those series of incidents "greatly challenged the capability of the entire PNP" and tested the policemen's will to still serve the country "full-heartedly". "But the challenge was accepted and most of all, we were able to overcome," he said.
He added the police agency is ready to take on any challenges such as street crimes, illegal drugs, high-profile killings, insurgency and terrorism "although critics continue to denounce and question their credibility."
Purisima also bragged about the improved crime reporting system of the agency after it gets along with the "high-technology era", which includes the electric-subpoena/warrant and the electric-crime reporting (through Twitter or text message) earlier launched by the PNP.
He said through the high-technology crime reporting system, it is now easier for the PNP to identify where its resources, particularly its personnel, should be deployed.
"Gustong iparamdam ng PNP sa mamamayan na ang kapulisan ay nasa tabi lang nila sa lahat ng oras," he said.
Through the said efforts, he said the country today is one with the highest crime solution in terms of rating in the world at 36 percent, which makes a remarkable increase from last year's 27 percent.
"I can only pray that this rating can be contained and can improve by our police," Purisima said.
Awards and decorations
Among the highlights of the ceremony was the presenting of awards and decorations to PNP units and personnel for outstanding achievements.
Leading the awardees was Police Deputy Director General Felipe Rojas Jr., the deputy Chief PNP for administration, who received a Plaque of Recognition for outstanding achievement in the field of police administration.
He was cited for his management and supervision from the preparation until the execution of the 34th Aseanapol Conference, where the PNP earned accolades from the Chief of National Police of the Asean, held on May 12-16, 2014 at Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Manila.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Benjamin Magalong joined Rojas in receiving a Plaque of Recognition for outstanding achievement in the field of criminal investigation.
Magalong was cited for leading the CIDG in cleansing its ranks to ease out misfits within the organization, made various innovations to enhance the competence of crime investigators and initiated various investigations that led to high profile police operations, which earned positive response from the public.
Unit awardees
* Police Regional Office 9, for outstanding achievements in the campaign against threat groups;
* Anti-Cybercrime Group, for outstanding achievements in the campaign against Transnational Crimes;
* Regional Public Safety Battalion Cordillera and Zamboanga City Public Safety Company, for outstanding achievements in the campaign against threat groups;
* Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, for outstanding achievements in the campaign against wanted persons; and
* Crime Laboratory Group and Cagayan Police Provincial Office, for outstanding achievements in the solution of major crimes.
Individual awardees
* Police Superintendent Lambert Suerte, from Police Regional Office Cordillera, for his outstanding individual achievement in the field of police operations;
* Police Chief Inspector Juanito B. Gaces, from the Directorate for Information and Communication Technology Management and Police Officer 2 Crissandra Aggabao, from police regional office 2, for their outstanding individual achievement in the field of general support; and
* Senior Police Officer 1 Dominador Canlas, from Police Regional Office 3, for his outstanding individual achievement in the field of police intelligence.
Special awardees
* Abra Police Provincial Office, for having the most significant accomplishments in the campaign against private armed groups neutralized;
* Bohol Police Provincial Office, for having the most notable accomplishments in the field of disaster rescue and relief operations;
* President Roxas Municipal Police Station, for the successful campaign in internal security operations by repelling the attack of more or less 100 armed bandits on May 20, 2014; and
* Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force, for its significant achievements in effectively neutralizing drug trafficking syndicates operating in the country.
The 113th Police Service Anniversary was celebrated with the theme: "Pulisya Kaagapay ang Mamamayan para sa Patuloy na Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran." (SDR/Third Anne Peralta/Sunnex)