House Speaker Martin Romualdez has made it clear that the country’s officials aren't neglecting the crime situation.
This, after Romualdez led a high-level meeting with law enforcement officials Monday night, Feb. 27 at the House of Representatives in Quezon City.
“We want this to be clear. We want the message sent out na hindi tayo pabaya (we're not neglectful)…PNP (Philippine National Police), SILG (Secretary of the Interior and Local Government), Congress, will not allow this," he said.
Romualdez, Leyte’s 1st district representative, had called for the meeting amid what he earlier described as the spate of high-profile crimes in the country. These crimes have involved ambushes on political figures and businessmen.
Attending the meeting were Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos, PNP Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., Chief of Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management Maj. Gen. Eliseo Cruz, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo, and Deputy Chief for Operations Maj. Gen. Jonnel Estomo.
Earlier Monday in Cebu, Romualdez said he was able to speak with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. about the planned meeting on criminality response at the House, and that the Chief Executive was in favor of it.
"Natuwa siya na binibigyan nating pansin ang nangyaring krimen recently (He's happy that we're giving attention to the recent spate crime)," the House leader said.
Abalos and Azurin said during the meeting that, despite these high-profile crimes, local crime rate has actually gone down.
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Romualdez assured officials that the House would do its part in capacitating law enforcers by allocating them with ample resources. Deliberations on the annual national budget start at the House, which wields the power of the purse.
“We are one with you. We are all partners here. We want to see how we can collaborate and show everyone that sama-sama ang House at DILG at PNP to stomp out crime (the House, DILG and PNP will stomp out crime together). We will also not tolerate sensational crimes," he said.
"The welfare, the safety, the lives of our people, that’s top priority. That’s what we’re here for.” underscored Romualdez.