Aquino to new PNP chief: Make fighting crime a personal crusade

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III asked the new head of the Philippine National Police, Director General Nicanor Bartolome, to make the war against criminality a personal crusade.

Aquino made the remark at the turnover of the PNP command from outgoing Director General Raul Bacalzo, who is retiring, to Bartolome.

“To General Bartolome, I ask you to deem it a personal advocacy to more aggressively pursue kidnappers, carnappers and other criminal elements of our society,” the President said in his speech.

“Nais kong maramdaman ng pulis ang kompyansa at dangal sa tuwing isusuot nila ang kanilang uniporme at tsapa [I would like the police to feel confident and honored everytime they wear their uniform and badge],” he said.

He said he wanted the PNP to bring back the people’s trust.

“Nais ni Juan at Juana dela Cruz na siya ay tiwala na may pulis na magtatanggol sa kanya [Juan and Juana dela Cruz would like to feel confident that the police would protect them],” Aquino said.

“I believe, and so does the Filipino nation, in your ability to continue what General Bacalzo has done to spread the professionalism, integrity, and valor among the ranks of the police. Don’t let our bosses down,” he added, referring to the Filipino people.