Assumption Speech

POLICE DIRECTOR RICARDO C MARQUEZ

Chief of the Philippine National Police
16 July 2015
Camp Crame, Quezon City

Introduction

I stand before you today as the 20th Chief of the

Philippine National Police, grateful for the trust and
confidence of our leaders, humbled by the highest honor
any police officer can hope for, inspired to take up the
greatest challenge of my career, but at the same time,
mindful of the sacrifices of our fellow officers, some of
whom have dedicated their very lives upon the altar of
peace.
Batid ko pong napakalaking responsibilidad ang
nakapatong ngayon sa aking mga balikat. Ang
pinakamataas na karangalang ito ay may kaakibat na mga
hamong dapat harapin, mga isyung kailangang bigyan ng
pansin, at mga pagkakamaling dapat ituwid.

Crime Prevention

Ang pangunahing isyu na dapat harapin ng kapulisan

ay crime prevention o paghadlang sa krimen. While we
have developed the methodology to deliberately reduce
crime, as evidenced by the decreasing trend in crime
statistics in certain areas, the reality is that the fear of
crime remains in the hearts of our citizens especially our
mothers.

Naroroon pa rin ang takot at agam-agam ng mga

magulang tuwing umaalis ng bahay ang kanilang mga
mahal sa buhay. Ito ang nais nating baguhin. Gusto nating
masiguro na bawat anak, kapatid, o kasambahay ay ligtas
sa kapahamakan at makakabalik nang maayos sa kanikanilang tahanan.

We have tried several crime prevention measures in

the past without much success. I believe it is high time to
go back to the basics of policing and institutionalize the
implementation of patrolling nationwide.

Akoy naniniwala na ang pagpapatrolya ng kapulisan

sa mga komunidad ay nagdudulot ng maraming
benepisyo, kabilang na ang mga sumusunod:

Una, ang tinatawag na police presence for crime

deterrence. Pagpalagiang nakikita ang kapulisan sa isang
komunidad, magdadalawang-isip ang sinuman na
gumawa ng krimen.

Pangalawa, tatatagang ugnayan ng kapulisan at

komunidad o ang police-community relations. Sa
pagpapatrolya, ang pulis ay magiging isang pamilyar at
kilalang
personalidad
sa
komunidad,
at
dito
magsisimulang manumbalik ang pagtitiwala ng taongbayan.

Pangatlo, magkakaroon ng pananagutan ang pulis sa

komunidad
na
kanyang
binabantayan,
at
mangingimisyang gumawa ng katiwalian o anumang
bagay na magdudulot ng kahihiyan.
At
Pang-apat, sa paglipas ng panahon at sa
pagtutulungan ng pulis at taong-bayan sa mga gawaing
makabubuti sa komunidad, matututunan nilang magkapitbisig sa pagsugpo ng krimen.

For the last several years, I have been patiently

advocating the indispensability of patrolling in policing and
have involved dozens of people in various offices from
Nueva Ecija PPO, to PRO1, and to the Directorate for
Operations to propagate the concepts and to develop a
manual for police stations. This manual is now ready for
distribution after its approval by PDDG Espina last May.

To make patrolling effective, I hereby order the

immediate and systematic dispersal of personnel from the
national, regional and provincial offices to our frontlines
the Police Stations based on a well-conceived and
properly developed Patrol Plan.

Nasabi ng ating Pangulo noong 2011 na nais nating

ipatupad ang mga reporma sa kapulisan upang makamtan
ang minimithi ng bawat Pilipino: ang gumising araw-araw
nang walang pangamba, at mapayapang makapamuhay
kasamang kanyang pamilya, dahil tiwala syang may
Kuyang Pulis at Ateng Pulis na nagbabantay sa kanyang
seguridad sa lahat ng oras. Naniniwala akong ito ay
posible sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatrolya.

The challenges brought about by implementing a new

Firearms law is another concern requiring serious

consideration. It has obviously caused untold sufferings on

the part of licensed gun holders. While the provisions of
the law are indeed harsh, we can bring licensing and
registration activities closer to their doorsteps.

I therefore order the Directorate for Operations and

FEO-CSG to develop a comprehensive plan to
decentralize these activities to the Regional Centers and
major urban areas as provided for by law. Also, I am
earnestly requesting the National Police Commission for
the immediate approval of our recommendation to set up
Regional Offices in preparation for decentralization.

Crime Fighting Operations

To address the issues of accurate crime incident

recording, effective crime fighting operations and efficient
crime solution, the PNP has finally adopted a new anticrime model. After years of experimenting with local
variants of the New York Crime Control Model or the
CompStat, without much impact on the crime situation, we
are now implementing Oplan Lambat Sibat with very
impressive results.

We are grateful to the Secretary of the Interior and

Local Government for this breakthrough in crime fighting.
As a deliberate, programmatic and sustainable approach,
Oplan Lambat Sibat aims to regularly audit crime incident
reports at the police station level and use the data thus
generated to identify crime hot spots and crime
patterns where and when intensified police interventions
are necessary. These interventions include strategicallyplaced checkpoints, foot &mobile patrols, focused and
intel-driven operations against most wanted persons and
member of criminal gangs.

As a result, the validated weekly robbery/theft figures

in Metro Manila are currently at 308, down from a high
baseline figure of 794 a year ago. Likewise, murder and
homicide cases are also down to 21 from a high
of30 during the same period.

Given its resounding success, we shall make Oplan

Lambat Sibat the bible in crime fighting operations. We
shall cause the thorough and immediate cascading of its
major components, concepts and methodologies, and best
practices to all units, giving priority to the countrys urban
centers which are the most crime-prone.

Kasabay ng pagpapatupad ng Oplan Lambat Sibat,

kinakailangang paigtingin din ng PNP ang kampanya
laban sa pinagbabawal na gamot.

A nation-wide survey conducted some years back

states that the police should give utmost priority in
addressing the issue on illegal drugs, and sadly this
problem continues to wreck havoc on Filipino families
today. It is time we address this vigorously now.

I therefore order the reinstatement of our barangay

based anti-drug campaign in close coordination with the
Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC), which is
currently being re-organized by the SILG. As in the past,
we will clear drug-affected areas, barangay by barangay
until the whole town or city becomes drug-free.

Major Events Security

We must likewise, give priority to securing major

events that put our country under international scrutiny.

We are currently hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic

Cooperation or APEC - the second time since 1996. As

part of the PNPs contribution in advancing our countrys

interest and in abiding by the Presidential instruction of
Zero Incident during major international events, we will
continue to provide not only forces and resources but also
leadership and experience to the National Joint Task
Force.

At this point, allow me to acknowledge my colleagues

at the APEC-National Organizing Council for their
unqualified support and adherence to the concept of the
Whole of Government Approach and for making the first
15 APEC meetings in 5 sites a resounding success. Let us
continue to trust the strength of our collective resolve as
we prepare for the APEC Summit in November when the
21 heads of economies converge in Manila.

In about 10 months, we have Election 2016 to look

forward to. An election is always a test of our
determination as a people to uphold and defend our
democratic ideals, and the international community takes
a keen interest in the process.

As a major actor in any election security operations,

we shall implement best practices for a Secure and Fair
Election, as we did in 2010 and 2013. More importantly,
the PNP will continue to remain non-partisan as it
maintains peace and order throughout the election period

and strives to keep election-related violence to a

minimum.

Organizational Reform

Last month, when news reports included my name in

the short list for this position, a friend reminded me that
becoming Chief of the PNP, like becoming President of the
Philippines, is matter of destiny. No one receives this kind
of blessing unless it is given from heaven.

I agreed, but I also consider this appointment as the

triumph of meritocracy, the recognition of 33 years of hard
work, dedication and passion for public service. Therefore,
it is but fitting that I make meritocracy the hallmark of my
administration. We will raise the bar for performance and
accountability, so that excellence is rewarded and
mediocrity receives its just deserts.

I envision meritocracy in the PNP as a proverbial

double-edged sword.

Its first cutting edge addresses not only the imperative

for excellence, but also the perceived bias against non-

PMAyers for appointment to key positions. Ang masasabi

ko sa ating mga kapatid mula sa PNPA at iba pang
paaralan, sa ilalim ng pamumuno ko ay makakaasa kayo
ng makatarungang pagturing sa usaping ito. Sana
tandaan natin na magkakaiba man tayo ng
pinanggalingan, iisa ang ating layunin bilang mga tagapaglingkod at mga taga-pagtanggol, iisa ang institusyong
kinabibilangan natin bilang pulis.

I hereby order the DPRM to constitute a study group

composed of representatives from all sources of
Commission, plus a Human Resources expert from the
private sector, to work on the mechanics of a competencybased selection, placement and promotion system that is
suitable, fair and reliable. This shall guide higher
authorities in making informed decisions when they
appoint police commanders.

The swords second cutting edge deals with the usual

suspects the misfits and scalawags.

We know that our main mission as law enforcers is to

fight crime. However, when crime fighters coddle criminals
or become criminals themselves, our citizens learn to
distrust, and even condemn, not just those few erring
cops, but the whole organization as well.

Sa mga kapulisang matino at malinis ang hangaring

maglingkod sa bayan, hindi ba kayo nagngi-ngitngit tuwing
naririnig ninyo yung pasaring na palibhasa pulis kapag
may nangongotong o naghu-hulidap? Gaya ko, sawangsawa na rin ba kayo sa ganitong pananaw sa atin ng
publiko?

Oo
naman.Nakakapikon
ang
paulit-ulit
na
pagkakasangkot ng mga kapulisan sa ilegal na gawain.

I therefore order the immediate review of our

disciplinary mechanism. We shall re-focus not only on the
accountability of our supervisors but their indispensable
participation in exacting discipline at all levels of the
organization. We shall re-invent the Internal Affairs Service
and make sure that improvements are incorporated in the
Modernization Bill currently being crafted at the House of
Representatives.

Sa buong kapulisan, let me make this very very clear:

Do your job well and you will be rewarded. If you are
threatened or endangered in the line of duty, I will be there
for you, walang iwanan. BUTBetray your oath and
violate the law, sisiguraduhin kong may kalalagyan kayo.

Conclusion

As I said in the beginning of this speech, being

appointed as Chief of the Philippine National Police is the
highest honor and the greatest challenge of my career. I
humbly submit that this was made possible by the grace of
God and through the support of some very special people.

I wish to extend my sincerest gratitude to His

Excellency, President Benigno S Aquino III for putting his
trust and confidence in me to lead this 160 thousandstrong organization. Let me assure His Excellency of the
PNPs unwavering commitment to Daang Matuwid and
his administrations programs.

Noong Agosto 2011, sa ating pagdiriwang ng ikaisandaan at sampung taong anibersaryong serbisyong
pampulisya, binigkas ng Pangulo ang mga katagang ito:

Ako po ay may ambisyon sa pagbabako sa puwesto

sa Hunyo 2016 Maiiwan ko po ang kapulisan na
masasabing tunay na may tapang at tunay na may
dangal Tinitingala ng buong sambayanan.

Mahal na Pangulo, sa natitirang isang taon ng inyong

pamumuno, gagawin ko po ang lahat ng aking makakaya
para maisakatuparan ang mga mithiing ito.

My special thanks to Secretary Mar Roxas for giving

me the opportunity to grow and mature as a police officer
by allowing me to serve the PNP in various capacities.
Maraming salamat po sa inyong matiyagang paggabay sa
amin sa pagbuo at pagsakatuparan ng Oplan Lambat
Sibat.

To my one and only wife Luz and my children, thank

you for being my sanctuary for the past 30 years. Your
unconditional love has been the source of my strength.
Today I ask for your patience and understanding as I
assume the role of father to a much bigger family, the
PNP.

To my dear departed parents, maraming salamat

sapag-aaruga at sa paghubog ng aking pagkatao. Sa
inyong halimbawang simpleng pamumuhay,natutunan ko
ang kababaang-loob, tiyaga at pagpapahalaga sa tamang
gawa.

To God Almighty, I am forever grateful for making all

good things like this one possible.

To the Filipino people, thank you for this chance to

prove ourselves worthy of your trust. Hinihingi po naming
ang inyong pakikiisa sa aming layuning pangalagaan ang
kapayapaan at kaayusan. Kaya po nating masugpo ang
krimen kung magtutulong-tulong tayo.

To the men and women of the PNP, thank you for

choosing to be part of this noble organization. Mayroon
mang ilang pasaway sa ating hanay, buo ang paniniwala
ko na mas nakararami ang marangal at malinis ang
hangaring maglingkod sa bayan.

The more difficult work begins today. As I embark to

bring this organization to even greater heights, I call on all
the members to contribute their share not only to rebuild
the PNP but also to make it even stronger. I am reminded
of what the author of one bestselling book says about
breakthrough in organizational performance. He said, it
can only be attained when all its elements are doing
one - just one little good thing every day, without
fail. This is what I ask of you from now on.

We have come a long way in our journey of

transforming the PNP into a more capable effective and
credible police organization. We are grateful to those who
have boldly taken part in this journey for the last ten years.
And I would want to make particular mention to the
selfless contribution of our civilian partners and advisers
like the National Advisory Group for Police Transformation
and Development (NAGPTD) and their local counterparts.
Under my watch the journey continues as we strengthen
the transformation process and focus these efforts in the
core business of policing.

Finally, we all know that fighting crime and making our

communities safe is everybodys responsibility. Kaya nais
ko pong hingin ang patuloy na supporta at kooperasyon
ng bawat mamamayan. Magtulungan po tayo. We will
surely take the initiative this time. Gagawin po ng inyong
kapulisan ang lahat upang kayo ay mapangalagaan at
maprotektahan sa mga masasamang elemento ng
lipunan. Ngunit kailangan din po naming ang inyong tulong
upang tuluyang masigurado ang inyong kaligtasan at
kapakanan.

But we are in this together. And together we can have

high hopes for the PNP as well as our country. I am
optimistic that together we can rebuild this organization to
better contribute to nation-building.

Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat, mabuhay ang

Philippine National Police, mabuhay ang sambayanang
Pilipino.

Naway patuloy tayong pagpalain ng ating Poong

Maykapal.

(After applause..)

All orders and instructions shall remain undisturbed

until they are rescinded or amended.