Rep. Martin Romualdez
SENATORIAL bet Rep. Martin Romualdez has promised to enact tougher laws against cop killers and ruffians to encourage more Filipinos to join the force.
“If I make it to the Senate, I will push to strengthen our law enforcement forces to efficiently and effectively combat crime and the alarming drug menace,” said Romualdez in a speech during the alumni homecoming of the Tagapagbuklod Class of 1989 of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) over the weekend.
Romualdez said he would prioritize the imposition of harsher punishments for the crimes of direct assault, homicide and murder committed against law enforcement officers in order to restore respect and fear to the force and shore up confidence among its members to go after criminals.
“This will go a long way to encourage more able-bodied men and women to join our law enforcement agencies,” he said.
The three-term Leyte representative said he would also push for higher salaries, insurance and pension for the force to boost its recruitment activities.
Romualdez said the only way to fight criminality was to have a police with high morale, well-compensated, well-staffed and well-equipped.
“The PNP is doing everything it can to keep us safe from lawless elements. But with just 120,000 personnel and limited facilities and equipment, they can only do so much,” Romualdez, a guest senatorial candidate of Vice President Jejomar Binay, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
With more PNP personnel, Romualdez said police would be deployed to patrol duties and police community precincts and detachments.
“At the very least, criminals will have second thoughts from carrying out their unlawful acts. And if their pay and benefits can be increased, policemen will be less vulnerable to corruption and other illegal activities,” said Romualdez.