Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan lauded the Manila Police District (MPD) on its 123rd Anniversary celebration at the MPD Headquarters in Ermita, Manila on Monday, Feb. 19.

The celebration was themed "Pinag-ibayong Paglilingkod sa Lungsod ng Maynila Tungo sa Maayos at Ligtas na Bagong Pilipinas (Expanded Service to the City of Manila Towards an Orderly and Safe New Philippines).”

In her address, Mayor Honey said she is grateful for the service that the MPD renders with dedication, love, and concern for the people and the city they serve.

"Salamat sa pagtupad ninyo sa mga tagubilin ko lalo na pagdating sa intense police visibility kung saan dama ng mga manilenyo ang presensya ninyo sa komunidad, sa pagpapa-iral sa mga pangunahing ordinansa na may kaugnayan sa disiplina ng bawat mamamayan (Thank you for fulfilling my directives, especially when it comes to intense police visibility where people feel your presence in the community, for implementing the basic ordinances related to the discipline of every citizen),” the mayor expressed.

The local chief executive said that in over two decades of her public service in Manila, she had witnessed how Manila’s finest gave their best in performing their duties.

"Sa mahigit dalawang dekada kong paglilingkod sa pamahalaang lokal ng Maynila, nasaksihan ko ang husay at galing ng ating kapulisan. Lalo nitong nagdaang dalawang taon na ako ang napagkatiwalaan ng mga kapwa nating Manileños na pamunuan ang buong lungsod (In my more than two decades of service in the local government of Manila, I have witnessed the skill and talent of our police force. Especially in the past two years that I have been trusted by our fellow Manileños to lead the entire city),” she said.

"Huwag nyo sana hayaang madungisan ang magandang pangalan at imahe ng MPD, (Please do not let the good name and image of MPD be tarnished)” she added.

MPD director Brigadier Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay also celebrated his First 100 Days in the post, where he secured big events in the City of Manila since he took office in October last year.

Among the events he monitored were Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), Undas, 4th Quarter Earthquake Drills, Feeding and Gift-giving Activities, Bonifacio and Rizal Days, Traslacion, and Chinese New Year celebration.

MPD said Manila police were able to conduct around 179,000 anti-criminality operations and received 22,243 commendation letters under the leadership of the new MPD director.

In his speech, the MPD director took pride in recalling the history of MPD since it was established in 1901 before World War II and the Battle of Manila.

“Today, we are recognizing our achievements, the achievements of our personnel and those who have helped us achieve these endeavors. We are also looking back to our past with full hearts to the men and women who have paved way and were instrumental in making the Manila Police District what it is today,” Ibay said.

Lacuna-Pangan said the service of MPD keeps residents at ease and complacent in living in Manila.

Meanwhile, the corner of United Nations and Taft Avenue was impassable on Monday morning for the arrival of honors and wreath-laying ceremony in front of the MPD Headquarters.

The road was reopened to motorists at 1 p.m.