Binay: No more repeat of Mamasapano incident

Vice President Jejomar Binay has pledged to prevent another Mamasapano incident under his watch if he becomes the next chief executive of the country.

Binay promised to improve the capacity and the capability of the police force under his presidency.

“Under my watch, there will be no more Mamasapanos,” Binay said in referring to the botched police operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that resulted in the killing of 44 police commandos on Jan. 25 last year.

Speaking during the alumni homecoming of the Philippine National Police Academy in Cavite yesterday, Binay promised a leadership that will respect and abide by the established principle of chain of command.

“And as we build the PNP’s capabilities, we must also look after the welfare of the men and women of the police force,” he added.

Calling on the police to ensure clean and honest elections, the Vice President also laid down his plans for PNP if he is elected president.

“Many of the illegal and criminal activities you face today as law enforcers are conducted across countries. Crime has become transnational. To face this new environment, the skills and the tools of the PNP must be enhanced,” Binay said.

Binay vowed to increase the technological capability and upgrade the forensic abilities of the PNP.

“Aside from continuing our strong ties with the international law enforcement community, we must invest in building the capability and the skills to detect and respond to foreign nationals engaged in criminal activity in the Philippines,” he said.

“I am aware that the lack of resources at your disposal can sometimes breed a sense of frustration. It is therefore my commitment to provide the PNP with all the tools and resources that will enhance your capabilities,” he added.

Binay also bared plans to hire at least 50,000 new policemen to achieve the ideal police-to-population ratio of 1:500

He said his plans to increase the tax exemption, as well as his proposed housing programs, would benefit those in the police force.

Other promises that he made include increase in daily subsistence allowance and combat pay for the police.

Meeting the opponent

During the PNPA homecoming, Binay’s running mate Sen. Gregorio Honasan II met with one of his opponents, Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The two were seen shaking hands and posed for a photo.

Honasan though refused to comment on issues involving the martial law of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, which has hounded the younger Marcos in the past weeks.

“This is a happy occasion. There should be no politics,” Honasan said in Filipino.

Honasan is one of the key players in the EDSA People Power Revolution that toppled the Marcos dictatorship in 1986.

The younger Marcos, on the other hand, has refused to apologize for or even acknowledge the deeds of his father.