LEGAZPI CITY, July 8 (PIA) -- In its 26th year of celebration, the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) 5 commits to establish higher step of efficiency and to build a stronger public trust to police service and maintain a peaceful relation with communities.

In Ugnayan sa Bicol briefing on Tuesday, NAPOLCOM Masbate Provincial Director Atty. Zalman Uddin said that the purpose of this year’s observance is, “for the police to have a better interaction with each member in the society.”

“Ito po ay para mas mapaigting ang kanilang pakikisama at pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga mamamayan para po maramdaman nila ang ating serbisyo (This is to strengthen the relations with the community so that they will feel our services),” he said.

The theme, “Pulisya at Pamayanan BARANGAYanihan sa Hamon ng Pandemya at Laban sa Krimen” will showcase various outreach programs to different barangays regionwide, bandshows, different webinars and other games that are open to the public.

Uddin added that webinars on stress management among policemen are part of this year’s line of activities. “Ang mga pulis ay tao din at kailangan din po sila masuportahan makacope-up sa pandemic (Policemen are human, too, and they also need support to cope-up with the pandemic),” he added.

With all the negative news pertaining to police’s misconduct on social media, Police Major Malu Calubaquib of Police Regional Office 5 said that these policemen will receive disciplinary actions.

“Hindi po natin kinacuddle yung mga pulis na gumagawa ng kabalbalan (We do not cuddle police officers who conducted misdeeds),” she added.

With Police General Guillermo Eleazar’s “Internal Cleansing Policy” in the Philippine National Police, Calubaquib also said that they continue to ensure cleanliness in the police precincts, stations, and offices, and to initiate good leadership by setting an example down to its lower units.

PRO 5 will also appreciate, recognize and award police officers who showed outstanding community relation performance.

Role of the community

Uddin said that the public has its role to help the police to maintain peace and order in the society.

“One way to discipline police if ever they have misconduct, or magkaroon ng kalabisan, ireport po ninyo sa mga nararapat na authorities. Pag dating sa kriminalidad, they should coordinate and assist with the police (One way to discipline police officers if ever they have misconducts, or abuse in power, report them to the authorities. In terms of crimes, they should coordinate and assist with the police),” he said.

Calubaquib added that public must always stay away from any illegal activities. They shall file and push for a case so that criminals will not return to society and think that they can just manipulate the system.

For Monitoring & Evaluation Division Chief Olivio Ramirez of the Department of the Interior and Local Government 5, PRO 5 and NAPOLCOM are its partners in conducting a peaceful and safe delivery of basic services to people on the ground.

“We are doing our best to help maintain the good image and connection of the police towards the public. DILG is one with NAPOLCOM and PNP to fulfill its mandates to fulfill a secured and peaceful environment in the region,” Ramirez said.

Presidential Proclamation No. 764 signed on January 24, 2005 declares the month of July every year as Police Community Relations Month. It aims to develop closer interaction between the police and the community in handling peace and order concerns. (KAB/PIA Bicol)