“Police uniforms are not for those who seek fame and authority, but for those who wear them with distinctive value – evoking a sense of pride and duty.” – Tintin
As the morning sun peeked through the clouds above the horizon, so was the Philippine National Police headed by PNP Chief PGen Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, glowing with passion – awakening the fire within to creep in with the new week, kicking off during the Traditional Monday Flag Raising Ceremony held at Camp BGen Rafael T Crame, Quezon City on August 12, 2024. It was then that PGen Marbil underscored the essential values of what a true police officer should be – radiating with unwavering commitment, respect and dignity.
PNP recognized the commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, and the 25th International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Day which is annually observed on the same day as per Executive Order No. 134, signed by former President Joseph Estrada in 1999, with the theme “75 Taong Paninindigan sa IHL Kamalayan, Kalinga, Kapayapaan, Kaunlaran: Kalakasan ng IHL sa Bagong Pilipinas.” (75 Years of Commitment to IHL Awareness, Compassion, Peace, Progress: The Strength of IHL in the New Philippines). This year’s theme reaffirms the unwavering commitment of the Philippine National Police in its mandate to religiously uphold the law while protecting life and human rights.
In a deliberately firm convincing tone, PGen Marbil emphasized the recalibrated approach in enforcing the law [on the drug war] which he sought to be a more effective and less violent campaign by putting a premium on human rights and addressing the problem at its very core. He urged police officers, so-called law enforcers, to enforce laws without violating the humanitarian rights of the offenders. When International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is respected, lives are saved and people’s dignity is upheld.
“Let us observe human rights. Let us preserve human life. Alalahanin po natin na lahat ng tao ay may pag-asa. Wala po tayong karapatang kunin ang buhay ng ibang tao. (Let’s remember that everyone has hopes. We do not have any right to take the lives of other people.) Let us preserve. Let us respect. We are called law enforcers, then we enforce the law in a proper order,” CPNP said.
Based on operational procedures, the use of force, particularly weapons, should be the last resort if a threat to the life of the police officer is already imminent causing death or injury.
Meanwhile, police officers were encouraged by Chief PNP Marbil to always have a positive mindset when carrying out their duties or during operations. Everyone should be given to be better and be able to overcome challenges and setbacks, including those on education, prevention and rehabilitation, not to mention, his directive to supporting the “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan” or BIDA program, a comprehensive anti-drug initiative of the national government advocated by no less than President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, Atty. Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr.
PGen Marbil also highlighted in his speech what takes to be a dignified police officer. The moment police uniforms are worn by police officers, distinct roles and values, and attendant responsibilities are anchored on their shoulders. Among those values emphasized was the dignity and sanctity of the identifier – that police officers are not ‘just-just’ but officers with vital roles in society.
“Pinagbabawal ko na po ‘yung every time we have an anniversary, nakakakita po tayo ng mga pulis na naka-uniform, especially mga corporal, or mga mabababa po natin, sila po ay nagdadala ng mga payong,” Chief PNP Marbil said after the flag raising ceremony.
PGen Marbil issued his directive, noting that such an act is not a part of a police officer’s job but something degrading for a man in uniform.
“I want to bring back the dignity of our uniform. Let us respect our uniform. Ipakita po natin na tayo ay taong may dignidad. Hindi po tayo tao na basta-basta. Pulis po tayo, hindi po tayo bodyguard, hindi po tayo driver, hindi po tayo alalay. Hindi po tayo bayaran, pulis po tayo. (Let’s show that we are people with dignity and we are not mere persons. We are police officers, we are not bodyguards, we are not drivers, we are not servants. We are not paid lackeys. We are police officers),” CPNP Marbil said.
Emphasized in his previous speech the first Monday Flag Raising Ceremony on April 8, “You have a choice and a chance. A choice to do good, and a chance to make a difference,” he said. Police officers are expected to choose what is good and do what is right to make a positive impact in the society.
“Let us make a difference in people’s lives. Let us show them na iba na yung pulis natin. Eto na po yung pulis na maaasahan. Pulis na mapagkakatiwalaan. Pulis ng ating bayan. (Let us make a difference in people’s lives. Let us show them that the police are different now. The police are reliable and trustworthy),” CPNP Marbil added.
