Speech by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the 124th Police Service Anniversary Celebration

Thank you to our Executive Secretary, Secretary Luc Bersamin, for your introduction.

But before we proceed, the troop commander will give the order of tikas pahinga.

The Interior and Local Government Secretary, Secretary Jonvic Remulla; the other members of Cabinet present – [please take your seats] – the other members of the Cabinet present; honorable members of Congress; commissioned and non-commissioned officers, non-uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police led by Chief PNP Police General Nicolas Torre III; fellow workers in government; other distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

Magandang umaga sa inyong lahat!

Sa mga kasapi ng Pambansang Pulisya ng Pilipinas, isang mainit na pagbati sa inyong ika-isang daan at dalawampu’t apat na anibersaryo!

Isang daan at dalawampu’t apat na taon ng paglilingkod, katapangan, at pag-aalay ng buhay para sa bayan.

Sa araw-araw na kayo’y tumutugon sa tungkulin, pinapanatili ninyo ang kapayapaan at kaayusan sa ating mga komunidad.

Even according to the data, the crime incidents from June 2024 to June 2025 has decreased compared [to] the preceding period. But we recognize that numbers alone cannot allay the fears of our people. As public servants, we do not ask people to celebrate statistics if their experiences tell a different story.

And that is why we must regain the trust of the public through more decisive and responsive actions. And I believe the PNP is now on its right track. [applause]

This year, the PNP marked several critical milestones, including the 5-Minute Response Time Strategy.

Five minutes—just a relatively small window of time—but five minutes can mean the difference between safety and danger; even between life and death.

Through the revitalized Emergency 911 Hotline, the PNP responded to thousands of emergency calls, from police assistance to police interventions and even search and rescue.

However, the challenge now is to ensure that—rain or shine, during ordinary days and more so, in times of crisis—there are people who will be ready to answer our people’s call for help. This is how we rebuild the trust that the police will come no matter what time, no matter what the circumstance is, they will arrive.

We owe our people a system that they can rely on.

Alongside this, we continue our pursuit of modernization and operational readiness.

Now, we have drones and other advanced technologies that complement police operations, enabling your capabilities to protect, to monitor, to respond with greater precision.

But technology will never replace the importance of your presence on the ground. These tools are only effective as the men and women who wield those tools.

Considering this day and age, criminals have mastered new and sophisticated ways to advance their schemes.

Inaabuso nila ang mga makabagong teknolohiya upang manloko, manlinlang, at mambiktima. Ito ang kailangan nating bantayan. Ito ang ating dapat sugpuin.

Huwag din nating kalimutan na bahagi ng banta sa seguridad ang mga nasa hanay na bumabaluktot mismo ng ating layunin.

Aanhin pa ang pinaka-modernong kagamitan kung may iilang pulis pa rin ang umaabuso sa kapangyarihan?

We will continue to investigate and hold these people accountable within the bounds of the law. We do not condone wrongdoing among those who sworn to uphold the law and to protect the citizens of our Republic.

Inuulit ko: walang lugar ang katiwalian sa ating kapulisan.

Sa kabilang banda, ating kinikilala at sinusuportahan ang mga alagad ng batas na tapat na tumutupad sa tungkulin at nag-aalay ng kanilang kaligtasan at buhay para sa serbisyo.
Be assured that the government stands with you, behind you all – every hour of every day – as you continue to carry out your mission and build a safer and more peaceful Bagong Pilipinas. [applause]

So, let us take this moment to honor and congratulate this year’s awardees of Medalya ng [Katangitanging] Gawa and all the other recipients of special citations from various PNP units and key stakeholders.

Your contributions to public safety, community engagement, and institutional development are deeply commendable.

Sa mga pamilya na laging nasa likod ng bawat pulis, maraming salamat sa inyong tibay, suporta, at walang sawang pagmamahal.

As the PNP marks another year of service, may you always be reminded that the true measure of your effectiveness is how safe and empowered our people feel under your watch and the trust that they place in the badge that you wear.

Muli, maraming salamat sa inyong katapatan at dedikasyon sa serbisyo.

Mabuhay ang Pambansang Pulisya ng Pilipinas!

Mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas! [applause]

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