The Philippine National Police on Monday said it hoped the next secretary of the interior would also support its capability improvement program.
PNP Director General Ricardo Marquez said the successor of outgoing Interior Secretary Mar Roxas would have “big shoes to fill.”
“It’s very rare that you see a secretary holding meetings as early as 6 a.m., and working as late as 10 p.m.,” Marquez said, shortly after Roxas announced his resignation.
Roxas resigned his job at the Department of the Interior and Local Government to prepare for his campaign for Malacañang after being chosen by President Aquino as the administration’s presidential candidate in next year’s general elections.
He was at Camp Crame on Monday as a guest of honor at the PNP flag-raising ceremony during which top police officials who took part in the security for President Aquino’s final address to Congress on Monday were given awards.
Outstanding service
Among the 19 awardees for Medalya ng Pambihirang Paglilingkod (Medal of Outstanding Service) were Chief Supt. Joel Pagdilao, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO); Chief Supt. Allen Bantolo, former NCRPO officer in charge; and Chief Supt. Ramon Apolinario.
Marquez, who, as former chief of the PNP Directorate for Operations, worked closely with Roxas during the implementation of the anticrime campaign “Oplan Lambat Sibat.”
The PNP said the program, attributed to Roxas, helped decrease crime incidents in Metro Manila by 60 percent since its implementation in June 2014.
“We are sad because for almost three years, [Secretary Roxas] was there to guide and help us to carry out our duties. We are really sad,” Marquez said.
Support expected
Although President Aquino has yet to name a replacement for Roxas, Marquez said he hoped the next interior secretary would be as supportive of the PNP in improving its capabilities.
“We hope the next secretary would be sympathetic to the PNP, particularly the capability enhancement programs… We hope the next secretary would continue helping the PNP improve its capabilities—to move, shoot, investigate and communicate,” said the PNP chief.
Asked if he had difficulty adjusting to Roxas’ management style, Marquez said policemen could adjust to any situation.
“His introduction and implementation of Oplan Lambat Sibat was an answered prayer. Our daily tasks were given guidance and direction, this was the element given by [Secretary Roxas],” he said.
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