TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba on Monday, February 5, praised Police Regional Office 02 (PRO2) Director Chief Superintendent Jose Mario Espino’s directive to deploy more police officers in the streets.
Mamba told the media that there should be fewer police in stations; and that officers should be patrolling and be “part of the community.”
“Sana maibalik sa ganun na ang pulis ang tingin ng tao, kasama nila, protektor nila, na ang pulis ay partner nila sa kriminalidad. Sa tingin ko maibabalik ito,” Mamba said.
PRO2 chief Espino ordered the return of the police beat system, during his first command visit to Cagayan Police.
(READ: PRO2 chief Espino orders intensified police patrol on streets)
He also said it was “right” for President Rodrigo Duterte to double the salaries of police because this will make police officers value their jobs, adding that this prevents officers from doing illegal acts.
“Tamang tama ang ginawa ng ating presidente to start with uniformed personnel for the enforcement of the laws. Kailangan yung law enforcer mismo siya ang hindi mo dapat ma-corrupt…Kaya ako I’m very optimistic laban sa corruption under the Duterte administration,” Mamba said.
“Ayaw na niyang ma-involve yan sa kalokohan dahil nagdoble yung sahod. Para kang tumama sa loto doon. This is true sa entire uniformed personnel sa ating bansa,” he added.
“Ang feeling ko kasi, pag maganda ang kahihinatnan nito, hindi malayo na buong beaurokrasya ay magkakaroon din ng increases dahil nakita naman natin na ang usual na cause din ng corruption sa gobyerno ay kulang sa pay at yung law enforcement agencies katulad ng uniformed personnel ng ating gobyerno, sa tingin ko ‘pag ito ay nareporma, magrereporma ang lahat,” he said.
Last week, the provincial government awarded over a million for financial assistance to police. The awarded fund is intended for their communication equipment
“So halos one million din yung naibigay natin kanina and kapag naliquidate naman na yung para sa PNP, para sa radio network nila, ay meron na po tayong ibibigay sa kanila na motorsiklo para magamit naman nila for reinforcement,” Mamba said.
Meanwhile, the provincial government awarded five motorcycles and P490,000 for purchasing motorboats to Alcala-based Philippine Army’s 17th Infantry Battalion.
Lieutenant Colonel Camilo Aquino Saddam of the 17th IB received these after the capitol’s first flag ceremony this February.
The governor said they are awarding assistance to uniformed personnel because he believes they will be a “medium for change.”
Mamba also served as guest speaker on Monday at Cagayan Police Provincial Office’s (CPPO) celebration of the 27th anniversary of the Philippine National Police. Northernforum.net
