Mar Roxas says ‘goodbye’ to PNP

Video by Noy Morcoso

Presidential-anointed Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Monday bade farewell to the Philippine National Police, which he leads as head of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

“Mga kasama, gagamitin ko ang pagkakataon itong upang magpaalam na muna sa inyong lahat. Dapat ko munang ipaubaya ang pamumuno sa iba,” (My friends, allow me to say goodbye to all of you, for now. I have to let others lead you in the meantime) Roxas said, addressing hundreds of lawmen who attended the weekly flag-raising ceremony in Camp Crame.

Roxas said goodbye after President Benigno Aquino III announced in a “gathering of friends” last week, July 31, that he was endorsing the DILG secretary as the candidate of the Liberal Party for president in 2016.

Almost immediately after, calls were aired for Roxas to resign as head of the interior department to prevent him from using the position for his presidential ambition.

While making his goodbye, Roxas did not say if he was already resigning his post.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the PNP, it has been my pleasure and a great honor to serve you. I give you my snappy salute. Maraming, maraming salamat po (Thank you very much), carry on,” he ended.

While in Crame, Roxas handed out special service medals to policemen involved in providing security during the President’s State of the Nation Address last July 27.

Newly-appointed National Capital Region Police Office head Chief Superintendent Joel Pagdilao, Chief Superintendent Allen Bantolo and  Chief Superintendent Ramon Apolinario  were awarded with  Medalya ng Pambihirang Paglilingkod.

Meanwhile, the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting was awarded to  PO2 Leif Abuton and PO2 Joel Lagahit.

After the ceremony, Roxas will preside a general assembly at the DILG-Napolcom Center in Quezon City.

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