Marcos orders PNP cleansing

Torre vows 3-minute police response

- By ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS and AARON RECUENCO

President Marcos has urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to intensify internal reforms, respond swiftly to security threats, and ensure police visibility in the streets as he installed General Nicolas Torre III as the new chief of the 230,000-strong force.

Responding to the challenge, Torre has committed to implement and institutionalize a three-minute police response in Metro Manila and other urban areas around the country as part of the new strategy to make the presence of policemen felt in the community.

"In compliance with the directive of the President for swift and responsive public service, we will institutionalize a three-minute emergency response time in major urban centers," said Torre in his speech during the turnover of command at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday, June 2. "This is not just a benchmark, it is a lifeline. Every call for help deserves immediate attention and action. We will be present./" During the change of command ceremony, the President issued a clear directive to the new PNP leadership to cleanse the ranks, expedite investigations into police abuse, and increase police presence in the streets to ensure public safety and restore trust.

Honorable police force He likewise urged them to build a society where citizens are disciplined and law-abiding, and every police officer is a role model worthy of trust and respect.

"Keep the police force clean and honorable. Expedite investigations into cases against officers who violate the law and deliver justice quickly," Marcos said Monday, June 2. "Let your badge be your daily pledge-not to command-but to serve with integrity." The President said a visible police presence in communities-especially in crime-prone areas-is essential to building public confidence, even as national crime statistics have improved.

"Let's make Filipinos feel that police are ready to help and protect them at all times," he said.