By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday dismissed the editorial of a broadsheet on alleged rising crimes in the country.
DILG Assistant Secretary Maria Liavel Crisostomo said the department firmly rejects the shortcut, fear-driven approaches of the past, including extrajudicial killings, toward building a police force that is professional, accountable and respectful of human rights and the rule of law.
“Following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., and under the leadership of Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla, we are reforming police leadership, strengthening discipline, and instilling a culture of service within the PNP,” Crisostomo said in a statement.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer editorial on May 30 titled “Deteriorating crime situation” said the administration would be hard-pressed to prove that the rising crime situation is a “propaganda made up by trolls,” as declared by Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.
The piece then enumerated recent crimes, including on foreign nationals.
Crisostomo said police visibility has been intensified not for optics but to deter crime and rebuild public trust. Officers are expected to engage with communities, respond decisively and uphold integrity.
“Since its launch last Monday, this approach has produced tangible results in terms of street arrests and, more importantly, is restoring the public’s sense of safety, confidence, and control over their communities,” Crisostomo said.
Crisostomo also said this coming August, the DILG will begin rolling out the Unified 911 Emergency Response Program with geolocation and live-streaming features for faster and more precise responses to crimes.
She said the recent kidnapping cases cited are largely tied to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO)-related operations
President Marcos has already ordered the ban on POGOs to eliminate these threats and uphold public safety, she added.
“The DILG does not operate on noise or fear. We operate on facts, reforms, and sustained public service. The transformation we are leading is not performative — it is deliberate, it is working and it is built to endure,” she said.
“Our goal is clear: To deliver a justice and law enforcement system the Filipino people can trust, not fear. We are not going back. We are moving forward — stronger, smarter and more accountable than ever.”
Meanwhile, the PNP acknowledged the concerns raised in the Inquirer editorial.
“While we respect the role of the press in fostering accountability, it is equally important to present a fair and balanced perspective on the continuing efforts of the PNP to ensure peace and order throughout the country,” the PNP said in a separate statement.
“The PNP remains focused on operational accomplishments in line with our mandate. We continue to implement law enforcement operations against criminality, illegal drugs and other threats to public safety, all while upholding the rule of law and the rights of every citizen.” (PNA)
