CEBU, Philippines - Around 50 police officers in Central Visayas graduated yesterday from the police community affairs and development course that was aimed to enhance their competencies in engaging the community.
The 50 cops were able to finish the course that ran for a month or for a total of 240 hours.
Police Chief Superintendent Rene Ong, deputy director of the Philippine National Police Directorate for Police Community Relations, said every policeman must learn how to engage with the members of the community to identify their needs in relation to peace and order and how the police force could address them.
Ong graced the closing ceremony of the police community affairs and development course.
Ong said there should be a constant communication with the public to know their sentiments.
This, he said, is in line with their aim to make PNP a citizen-friendly organization since it is dependent on the community itself.
“Hindi namin puwede ma-accomplish ang aming mission in 100 percent success rate if hindi namin ka-partner ang mga mamamayan,” he said.
While the members of the PNP organization are saddened by the ill-fated incident in Mamasapano that killed 44 PNP Special Action Force commandos, Ong said they are overwhelmed of the support and sympathy of the public to the police force.
He added that they intend to maintain the same trust and support from the community.
He said they have launched programs under PCR in relation to the unfortunate encounter to further grow the confidence of the public, especially in Mamasapano.
He also said they are conducting dialogs with the community and assisting the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Mamasapano to ensure that the basic services are provided to the residents.
Ong said most of the policemen assigned in the said town are natives of Mamasapano.
“So they know the sentiments ng mga tao doon and with that, alam nila ang dapat gawin para hindi mawala ang tiwala ng tao sa gobyerno,” he said.
Meanwhile, Police Officer 3 Annalyn Benigay, who topped the police community affairs and development course, said there is a need to build rapport and strengthen the relationship between the police force and community. — (FREEMAN)