Albayalde: PNP aims for more peaceful streets, communities in 2019

PNP chief Dir. Gen. Oscar Albayalde. (Photo from the Facebook page of the Eastern Police District)

MANILA, Philippines — Before welcoming 2019, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde urged his subordinates to sustain the “trend” of lower crime rate recorded in 2018, as he also said the drug war must remain “relentless and strong” next year.

Albayalde, who took over the helm of the police force in April, said its personnel should continue to sharpen strategies in order to once and for all put an end to the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country.

“We expect the year 2019 to bring in more challenges to the police force and more expectations from the people we serve,” he said in his New Year message to personnel of the PNP on Monday.

“With the downtrend in crime in 2018, I thus urge every member of the organization to exert greater effort to sustain this trend and assure our contrymen of our best in ensuring more peaceful streets and safer communities,” he also said.

READ: PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde’s New Year message. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/jHbPVe2XWk

— Cathrine Gonzales (@cgonzalesINQ) December 31, 2018

Albayalde admitted that the PNP faces greater responsibilities in 2019, as the country prepares for the plebiscite of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in January 21 and in February 6 and the midterm elections in May.

He assured that the police force’s internal cleansing program will exercise teeth against misfits in its ranks.

He also said the PNP is more prepared to fight against criminality with the hurdles it faced in 2018.

“Sama-sama nating salubungin ang bagong taon at harapin ng buong tapang, sigasig at malasakit ang mga panibagong hamon ng ating serbisyo sa sambayanang Pilipino,” Albayalde said.

(Let us altogether welcome the New Year and face with all courage, might, and compassion the new challenges in our service to the Filipino people.) /jpv