President Marcos told the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Layag-Diwa Class of 2024 to use available digital and information technology (IT) to combat crime and serve the people.

Marcos said this as he graced the 45th PNPA Commencement Exercises in Camp Gen. Mariano Castañeda in Silang, Cavite on Friday, April 19.

In his speech, the President asked the graduates to embrace smart policing, noting that the fight against crime is now a potent mix of gadgets, war rooms, and old-fashioned work by gritty police officers.

"I challenge you to leverage that technology that you are familiar with as aids in protecting and serving our people, especially in battling cybercrime," he said.

"I ask you to embrace smart policing, fire prevention, and penology. There is still no substitute for pounding the streets.  When it comes to assuring the people, analog will always beat digital,"  he added.

Of the 223 graduating PNPA cadets, 199 will serve the Philippine National Police (PNP), 12 will be enlisted at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and another 12 will join the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

According to Marcos, those joining the BFP and the BJMP should maximize IT to improve service deliveries while minimizing cost.

He said BFP officers should not be content with the current fire response time but strive to make it faster. On the other hand, those joining the BJMP should find ways to lessen prison congestion.

As the President congratulated members of the 2024 “Layag-Diwa” Class, he urged them to let PNPA’s core values of Justice, Integrity, and Service, “be the wind that propels you forward.”

Marcos then encouraged them to put the nation above themselves, noting such values and principles define true public servants.

"Taumbayan bago ang sarili. ‘Yan din ang mithiin ng Bagong Pilipinas. Isang lipunang patas. Isang bayang bawat mamamayan ay ligtas (The people above self. That is our dream for a New Philippines. A society that is fair and where everybody is safe),” he said.