CEBU CITY, Cebu, August 1 (PIA) -- Confidence in the police force continues to increase.
This was revealed by officials from the Police Regional Office 7 (PRO7) and National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) as they celebrated the 28th Police Communications Relations Month in July.
In a nationwide Octa Research survey conducted on March 24-28, 2023, 80% of the 1,200 adult respondents or 8 out of 10 people surveyed trusted the police, 5% expressed a lack of trust, while 15% were undecided over the trustworthiness of the organization.
Respondents from the Visayas and Mindanao were more trusting at 89%, while those from the National Capital Region were less trusting — with 67% saying they trust the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Trust in the police was also high among young adults aged 25 to 44 at 86%, while those aged 18 to 24 showed the most distrust at 9% and those aged 55 to 63 at 10%.
PRO-7 earned a performance rating of 89%, higher than the 73% rating recorded for the PNP.
PRO-7 and NAPOLCOM attribute the increase of trustworthiness to the continuous program creation between the two agencies and the Regional Advisory Group for Police Transformation and Development (RAGPTD).
RAGPTD aims to institutionalize community-oriented policy system and strengthen the relationship between the community, law enforcement, local government executive, and the national government.
NAPOLCOM-7 Officer in Charge Assistant Regional Director Atty. Risty Sibay disclosed during the Kapihan sa PIA on July 26, 2023 that the two agencies are coordinating with various sectors to bring government services closer to the public aside from addressing peace and order concerns.
Sibay said they are doing a “whole of government approach” through the conduct of Serbisyo Caravans which offers legal, dental, and medical services to the public, extending especially to the vulnerable sectors like the farmers, fishers, and the indigents.
“This community engagement allows participation of the communities in some of the planning and program implementation which helps in recommending measures on how to improve police services,” he added.
On the other hand, PRO-7 Public Information Officer Police Lieutenant Colonel Ma. Aurora Rayos said that community engagement is one of their five focus agenda.
