P1-B to boost PNP crime-fighting efficiency

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr. and Philippine National Police chief Director General Leandro Mendoza said yesterday that the P1 billion from President Arroyo will make the PNP a more efficient crime fighting force.

Last Monday, Mrs. Arroyo released an initial P1 billion for the PNP’s modernization to raise the salaries of policemen and strengthen professionalism in the police service.

Lina said Mrs. Arroyo’s gesture shows her utmost concern for the plight of policemen and the need to modernize the PNP to make it more effective and efficient in crime fighting.

"Your (Mrs. Arroyo) gesture undoubtedly manifests your concern to our lawmen as well as your appreciation of the need to upgrade and modernize the PNP to truly become efficient and effective in crime fighting," he said.

Mendoza said he thanks Mrs. Arroyo for releasing the P1 billion to the PNP and welcomes her action of boosting the crime-fighting capability of the police agency.

"The President has done so many things for the PNP," he said. "The media are witnesses in the demonstrations staged by retirees calling for the immediate release of their benefits. There are lines now because we have started to address this problem."

Lina and Mendoza said the money could help the PNP become more mobile through the purchase of modern equipment and weapons, which are badly needed in fighting crime syndicates and other forms of criminality.

"How can the police catch criminals if they do not have vehicles and firearms? Lina asked.

He said he was glad that Mrs. Arroyo’s Cabinet secretaries recognize the need to modernize the PNP as a means of maintaining peace and order in the country.

Mrs. Arroyo’s release of P1 billion to the PNP has contributed significantly in raising the morale of policemen nationwide, he added.

Mendoza said the PNP will focus on the procurement of equipment and weapons to enable policemen to better investigate crimes and patrol the streets.

"We do not have to line up for gasoline nowadays," he said. "I remember when we resorted to rationing when I assumed office because Petron stopped delivering the supply. Now we can efficiently provide benefits and the operational requirements of the police."

A few months ago, the PNP was forced to ration fuel because gasoline deliveries to Camp Crame in Quezon City was stopped because the PNP had failed to pay Petron.

Mendoza said police detectives often rely on the "traditional ways" of gathering information, which hampered the operation of the Scene of the Crime Office. – Perseus Echeminada, Christina Mendez