By Genalyn Kabiling
All government agencies have been ordered to support this year’s national crime prevention program to promote peace and order in the country.
Malacañang Palace. (Photo by Richard V. Viñas / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Memorandum Circular No. 66, issued by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, noted that the National Crime Prevention Program (NCPP) operationalizes the government’s strategies for ensuring security, public order and safety under Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022.
“To ensure the success of the 2019 NCPP and in light of the policy of a whole-of-government approach in addressing criminality, it is necessary to ensure the cooperation of all government agencies as well as local government units in the implementation of the 2019 NCPP,” the memorandum read.
“In accordance with their respective mandates, all government offices, departments, bureaus, agencies are directed and all LGUSs are enjoined to support the 2019 NCPP and the programs specified therein,” it added.
The memorandum also stated that any funding requirement for the crime prevention program will be sourced from the respective government agencies and local government units.
The national crime prevention program was developed by the National Police Commission through a technical committee composed of experts from government and the private sector in the field of criminal justice system.
Republic Act No. 6975 or the Department of Interior and Local Government Act of 1990, as amended by RA 8551 or the Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act Of 2998, directed the NAPOLCOM to recommend to the President a crime prevention program.
The memorandum circular, signed by Medialdea last Sept. 23, takes effect immediately.
At the start of his term, President Duterte launched a relentless campaign against illegal drugs and criminality, repeatedly vowing to finish off those who destroy the country.
His bloody anti-drug campaign has drawn criticisms for alleged extrajudicial killings and other rights abuses but Duterte has vowed to sustain the crackdown and face the consequences including landing in jail and facing a death sentence.