President Marcos has stressed the need to establish a good communications system with the Philippine National Police (PNP) as he ordered the organization to be more strategic in procuring the necessary equipment to improve its interoperability during emergencies and crises.

Marcos said this as he held a command conference with the PNP in Quezon City on Thursday, Feb. 15.

In his remarks, the President highlighted the importance of communication especially during disaster response, such as the recent flooding and landslides in the Davao region.

"Kailangan alam natin kung ano yung (We need to know the) situation on the ground," he said.

"Kailangan yung nandoon na pulis, makapag-report kaagad na may nangyari, ganito yung situation, ito yung kailangan namin (The police on the ground should be able to report back what happened, what is the situation, and what they need),” he added.

President Marcos also told PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. to secure a plan to improve its communications capacity, especially following the reported low equipment capacity of the national police.

“We really need to come up with a plan to improve the communications capability of PNP," he said.

"You cannot do your job without being able to communicate because mag-aantay kayo ng instructions, magre-report kayo sa central office (you have to wait for instructions, you will have to report to the central office), et cetera,” he added.

According to Malacañang, as of February 14, the PNP is still far from filling up at least half of its requirement for communications equipment. It recorded a 32.05-percent fill-up for digital radio, 33.98 percent for tactical radio, and 2.48 percent for satellite phones.

The procurement of these items is programmed under the PNP Capability Enhancement Program (CEP).

The PNP is also yet to complete its purchase of 18 units of conventional repeaters amounting to P54 million, and 80 units of satellite phones, amounting to P6.5 million under the CEP 2023.

For CEP 2024, the PNP is planning to procure 2,039 units of body-worn cameras, one unit of digital trunked radio system, an additional 18 units of conventional repeaters, and 420 units of VHF low band handheld radio, costing P585 million.

According to the PNP, the procurement under the CEP 2024 is delayed due to issues in the Terms of Reference. However, it ensured that this is being addressed.

The PNP targets to complete the procurement for CEP 2023 and 2024 within 2024, which will increase its fill-up rate to 32.07 percent for digital radio, 39.17 percent for tactical radio, and 6.03 percent for satellite radio.

Meanwhile, President Marcos told PNP officials to study the use of other communications equipment that may be suited to local situations, noting that technology nowadays is getting cheaper and better.

He also mentioned the equipment being used by other police forces overseas and directed the PNP to look into what can be adapted in the Philippines.

The Chief Executive then reminded attending officials to ensure that all communication equipment is standardized to ensure interoperability across the country, along with providing a secured network where communications between units and offices within PNP can work around.

“Kahit yung pulis malipat sa ibang lugar, pareho pa rin ang gamit, pareho pa rin ang procedure, pareho pa rin ang sistema (Even the police officer is transferred to a different location, the equipment, procedure, and system should be the same). So, I think that’s very important thing: there has to be consistency," Marcos said.