The Manila local government gave a total of 270 handheld radio units to the Manila Police District (MPD) on Wednesday, April 17, to aid its members in the performance of their duties.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan personally turned over the units to MPD director Brigradier Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay.
City Administrator Bernie Ang and Chief Administrative Officer of the Manila Anti-Drug Abuse Office Alma Galvez were also present during the turnover meeting.
The radio units were purchased by the Manila Peace and Order Council headed by Lacuna-Pangan with Ang as the vice chair.
The mayor said the equipment is the city's small way of expressing its all-out support and gratitude to the MPD which has been effectively keeping the capital city peaceful, orderly and safe.
"It is because of the MPD, of course through the leadership of Gen. Ibay, that all of us who reside in Manila are able to go about our daily lives without having to worry about being victimized by criminal elements and also sleep soundly at night," the mayor said.
According to Ang, the city officials support the mayor's commitment to provide any and all kinds of support possible to the MPD, saying they are under orders to continually think of ways to boost the capabilities of the premier police force.
For his part, Chief Ibay expressed his gratitude to the mayor.
He said the donated radio units will go a long way in aiding the police to function even better and faster.
"Nagpapasalamat kami kay mayora dahil sa pagbibigay ng additional radio equipment at magagamit nang husto ito ng ating mga patrollers (We are grateful to the mayor for providing additional radio equipment, our patrollers will be able to make good use of it)," he said.
"Minsan walang signal ang mga cellphones, makaka-konekta connect tayo, makakausap natin sila sa mga responde at patrulya na kanilang gagawin (Sometimes cellphones don't have signal. Now we can connect, we can talk to the responders)," he added.
The MPD chief reaffirmed the commitment of the city's police force in keeping the streets of Manila safe from criminal elements at all times.