Marcos to cops: Build trust, know the community

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. enjoined the country's policemen to build trust and credibility with the people by being part of the communities that they serve.

Marcos said police work would be "truly effective" when the people trust law enforcers.

"Be on the beat, know the people, and understand what’s happening,” the president was quoted as saying in a news release by the Presidential Communications Office.

Even with the presence of high-tech equipment for the government's anti-illegal drugs campaign, Marcos said the police must still make their presence felt on the ground.

“Tapos may credibility na tayo sa taong bayan. They trust you, they know you, they know what— you like to eat— ‘yung paborito mo is lechon— ganoon, basta kilala na kayo, tao na kayo, hindi kayo pulis, tao na kayo,” he said.

“That’s …I think is a very important lesson that despite all off the other things hanggang satellite, hanggang cyber — siyempre ginagamit natin lahat ‘yan pero puno’t dulo pa rin eh kailangan talaga you have to be part of the community. And that’s the only time [we are] truly effective is when the community trusts our policemen,” he added.

On Thursday, the President convened in Malacañang the first Joint National Peace and Order Council (NPOC) and Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) to discuss peace and order matters.

Discussions centered on key national security issues such as geopolitical issues, the West Philippine Sea and other territorial disputes, the communist terrorist groups, and the drug war.

In its report, the National Security Council (NSC) said the protracted wars and global issues have serious and detrimental effects on the country particularly on the safety of overseas Filipinos, global oil prices resulting in shortages and higher prices of goods, and the Philippines’ economic growth targets.

China’s continuous activities in the WPS also jeopardize the security of the Philippine borders through the harassment and obstruction of Philippine naval operations, harassment of Filipino
fisherfolk, and the use of engagements as warfare tactics to influence Filipinos.

As to the insurgency problems, security officials reported that there are nine "weakened guerilla fronts" with 1,576 members and 1,406 firearms.—LDF, GMA Integrated News