Saying that her peace and order advocacies resonated with them, Vice President Leni Robredo got the endorsement of some 60 retired officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Constabulary (PC) for her presidential bid.
Earlier, former military officers have already expressed support for the Vice President’s candidacy.
Among those who signed the manifesto were: former National Security Adviser Cesar P. Garcia, who was a PC colonel; former PNP Chief Ricardo G. Marquez who was Commander of the National Joint Task Force for Pope Francis' visit; Commissioner Luisito Palmera of the National Police Commission; and former PND deputy chiefs Francisco Uyami and Felipe Rojas, who served as Chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board.
“We, the undersigned retired officers of the Philippine National Police and former Philippine Constabulary Officers, strongly support and endorse the candidacy of Vice President Leni G. Robredo as President of the Republic of the Philippines. We believe in her advocacies, particularly on matters of peace and order,” the manifesto of support read.
“We believe that Vice President Leni G. Robredo is the candidate with the required sincerity, political will, leadership, competency, and necessary moral strength and integrity to implement such critical programs for the best interest of the country,” it added.
The endorsement was a result of a consultation meeting between Robredo and the retired officers where she committed to “key advocacies” that will push for the country’s “internal security.”
Among these advocacies were a war against illegal drugs that would focus on the supply chain and big-time drug traffickers, a science-based approach to improving the PNP’s prevention and crime solution, and the professionalization of the police through the PNP Patrol Plan 2030.
READ: Retired AFP, PNP officials back Robredo’s presidential bid
The plan will ensure the “implementation of an inclusive, fair, and competency/merit-based placement & promotion system, free of political influence” and “prioritize the enactment of the PNP Modernization Act” that would enhance Information Technology (IT) infrastructures in the agency.
The group also lauded Robredo for her commitment to improving the capabilities of the PNP’s training institutions and units, such as the Forensics Group, the Anti-Cybercrime Group, the Special Action Force, and the Maritime Group, among others.
More, the retired police officers also agreed with Robredo on the need to strengthen the country’s criminal justice system “by modernizing and improving the coordination between the police, prosecution, and the judiciary.”
She also sought the establishment of a National Crime Information System, “and adoption a system of expediting the investigation, prosecution, and resolution of cases to provide the Filipino people with a safer country to live, work and do business.”
READ: “She knows how to listen’: Ex-military officials explain why they support Robredo’s bid
The group pledged to “stand” with the Filipinos in ensuring “that no assault to suffrage will come to pass, and that the integrity of the democratic process shall be unsullied by any unlawful acts or omissions.”
“We place our full confidence in our electoral authorities, that they will never betray the voice of the people; and that every vote will be guarded with diligence, courage and patriotism,” the manifesto read.