Daily Tribune (Philippines)

Duterte: Ensure PNP is pandemic-resilient

The PNP celebrates 8 August as the Police Service Anniversar­y in commemorat­ion of the joint founding anniversar­ies of the Philippine Constabula­ry establishe­d in 1901 and the Integrated National Police organized in 1975

- BY KRISTINA MARALIT AND FRANCIS T. WAKEFIELD @tribunephl_tina @tribunephl_FTW

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday extended his appreciati­on to the men and women of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who risk their own health and even lives in protecting the citizenry and for helping in the country’s fight against the coronaviru­s disease (COVID-19).

Mr. Duterte lauded the brave men and women of the force for carrying the flag and being the people’s vanguards of peace and order.

The Chief Executive made the remark as he delivered his virtual greeting to the 209,000-strong police force during the PNP’s commemorat­ion of 119 years of service. It was simulcast live at the national headquarte­rs in Camp Crame and in all 17 Police Regional Offices across the country.

Mr. Duterte lauded the brave men and women of the force for carrying the flag and being the people’s vanguards of peace and order.

“I congratula­te everyone especially the outstandin­g units and deserving personnel that will be awarded today for your crucial role in making the PNP a highly dynamic, profession­al and responsive organizati­on,” he stated.

“Be assured of our nation’s gratitude for your significan­t contributi­ons to our campaign against illegal drugs, criminalit­y and terrorism,” he added.

The President likewise expressed his appreciati­on to police front liners who tirelessly go beyond the call of duty in battling the COVID-19 contagion while also calling on the PNP leadership to make the police force “pandemic-resilient.”

“I ask you to ensure that the PNP will remain pandemic-resilient by adopting protective protocols in the new normal,” Duterte said.

In response, Gamboa assured the Commander-in-Chief and all police personnel that no one will be left behind as the organizati­on forges on in the fight against the unseen enemy.

“The COVID-19 crisis is already having and will continue to have devastatin­g consequenc­es for individual­s and communitie­s within our country and across the globe, which must not be underestim­ated. At the same time, the crisis also provides a critical opportunit­y for us to learn more about the essential principles underpinni­ng large-scale transforma­tive change and innovative solutions to survive the said pandemic. Together as a team, we will win this war,” noted the PNP Chief.

“May we also give our respect to the lives and services of our fallen heroes, who gave their lives in the name of the service. And there is no greater way to honor them, than by carrying on the work that they left behind,” he added.

The PNP celebrates 8 August as the Police Service Anniversar­y in commemorat­ion of the joint founding anniversar­ies of the Philippine Constabula­ry establishe­d in 1901 and the Integrated National Police organized in 1975, both forerunner organizati­ons of the PNP.

I congratula­te everyone especially the outstandin­g units and deserving personnel that will be awarded today for your crucial role in making the PNP a highly dynamic, profession­al and responsive organizati­on.

With the theme “Towards A Pandemic-Resilient PNP: Deploying Digital Technologi­es and Adopting Protective Protocols in The New Normal”, this year’s police service anniversar­y celebratio­n was the first time guests and police personnel came together with the use of live interactiv­e platforms as an alternativ­e to the traditiona­l full-dress parade and review ceremony in observance of strict health protocols imposed by government in response to the national public health emergency and ongoing modified enhance community quarantine in Metro Manila and surroundin­g province.

 ?? PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF POND NEWS ASIA ?? FISH vendors wait for customers in a public market in Cavite as stricter health protocols are in place.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF POND NEWS ASIA FISH vendors wait for customers in a public market in Cavite as stricter health protocols are in place.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Philippines