By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Friday said the morale of the PNP personnel remains high, as he laid down the programs and a seven-point agenda that he will focus on as the new leader of the police organization.
After the first command conference under his leadership at the PNP headquarters at Camp Crame, Nartatez called a press briefing to say that he was happy to see the 96 PNP top brass, including 18 regional directors of Police Regional Office (PRO) and the heads of National Support Units (NSUs), as well as the directorial staff, at the conference.
“The morale of the PNP is high as according to their feedback and I have laid down the programs and focus activities of our PNP before hearing the different emerging problems and more challenges in their jurisdictions, especially the regions,” said Nartatez.
The seven-point agenda guidance encompasses enhanced management of police operations, combating specific crimes such as illegal drugs and cybercrime, strengthening security for vital installations, ensuring personnel morale and welfare, and managing human, material, and financial resources, he said.
The plan also includes revisiting risk management plans and focusing on public trust through a disciplined and accountable police force.
The acting PNP chief also said during his assumption speech that he would be focused on managing resources, personnel, logistics, and finances.
“Magaling ka na commander kapag naayos mo ito (You’re a good commander when you get to fix this). We are talking about management and leadership. We must improve our police operations and enhance managing police operations. And then of course we will improve and/or initiate our risk management plan to see to it that the community, the vital installations as well as the international or national activities are being taken care of,” he said.
Nartatez said the PNP is exerting all efforts to prevent poll-related violence on the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Oct. 13
“We still have seven weeks until Oct. 13. So we will ensure that this election will be safe and secure and of course it will be fair by making contingencies and preparations by coordination with the Comelec,” said Nartatez.
“What is important is we have our contingencies, preparation. We already have the elections, the midterm elections and we will improve the security operations in BARMM and other concerns that we have discussed and that’s it. I have clearly laid out our focus agenda,” he added.
Read more: 16K cops to be deployed for Oct. 13 BARMM polls
In accordance with a Comelec resolution, a gun ban began in the region on Aug. 14 and will last until Oct. 28, or the election period for the BARMM polls.
Earlier, 94 towns/municipalities in the BARMM have been placed under the “red” category or areas of grave concern. (PNA)
