IN honor of their dedicated service in keeping Manila safe, secure and peaceful, Mayor Joseph E. Estrada announced last Friday the issuance of around P236 million to the city’s policemen.
On the occasion of the 117th founding anniversary of the Manila Police District (MPD), Estrada said he ordered the release of more than P136 million in allowances of the “Manila’s Finest” from 2013 to 2016.
“Inuna ko ang release ng inyong allowances dahil, sa two-and-[a]-half years, wala kayong natatanggap bago ako naging mayor [I first released your allowances because, for two-and-a-half years, you received nothing before I became mayor],” Estrada said. His statements were applauded by the members of the MPD.
The local chief executive also bared his instruction to distribute to them another P100 million to cover their pocket money for the year 2017.
The mayor attributed the discipline on the city roads to the efforts exerted by the men and women of MPD. Estrada also cited it was under the leadership of Chief Superintendent Joel Coronel when the MPD was adjudged as the Best Police District in Metro Manila last year.
He added he believes the MPD deserves the people’s gratitude with what he describes as “the changes that we cannot see.”
“Unang-una dito ay ang pagkakaisa ng kapulisan at ng mamamayan, tungo sa kaayusan at kapayapaan sa ating lungsod [First of all is the unity of the police force and the citizens toward peace and order in our city],” Estrada said.
During his keynote address, the mayor honored and offered prayers for Senior Officer 1 Randy Marlon Lebrilla and Police Officer 1 Marmy Ventinilla Montemayor—the two Manila police officers, who were killed in the line of duty—as well as the 44 members of the Philippine National Police’s Special Action Force, who died in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, three years ago.
“Tulad ng lagi kong sinasabi, walang magaganap na pag-unlad sa isang lungsod, o sa isang bayan, kung walang kapayapaan [As I always say, there will be no progress happening in a city, or town, if there’s no peace],” the mayor said of their valued contribution.
“Binabanggit ko po ito dahil nitong nakalipas na apat na taon, ramdam na ramdam na ang pagbabago dito sa Maynila [I’m stating this since, for the past four years, change has been already felt here in Manila],” he added.
Among these reforms, he enumerated, are the renovated school buildings, hospitals, health centers, public markets and other infrastructure projects initiated by the city government.
Estrada reiterated in his message his mission to bring back the former glory of Manila and make it “The Pearl of the Orient” once more.
To achieve so, he appealed to the citizens of the city to join force with the police authority in the fight against criminality and lawlessness, while maintaining peace and order. This, according to him, is the key to progress.
“Tuloy-tuloy din nating suportahan ang gobyerno ni Pangulong Duterte sa krusada nito kontra ilegal na droga [We should also keep on supporting the leadership of President Duterte in the crusade against illegal drugs],” he added.
Lauding the President’s determination to protect every Filipino, he said that the war on drugs deserves the support of all.
Estrada pointed out that the government’s initiative against drugs has nothing to do with politics.
He likened Duterte to a father who only wants the safety of his family, especially the children.
The city mayor raised the alarm on the great danger of the drug problem as he cited the data from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency that show 92 percent of the barangays in Metro Manila is into illegal drugs.
In connection to this, he ordered the MPD to continue to arrest drug personalities and make this its top priority.
“Sinomang maituturing na banta sa kapayapaan ng ating lungsod ay kailangang mahuli at maparusahan [Whoever is deemed a threat to peace in our city must be arrested and punished],” he said.
Mayor Estrada expressed appreciation to the MPD for doing its part in keeping the peace and ensuring order in Manila.
In particular, he commended the MPD director for doing an outstanding job in leading the city’s police authority.
MPD was cited for having the highest index crime-solution efficiency and excellent accomplishment in “Project Double Barrel.” From 2016 to 2017, it has the most number of confiscated firearms.
With this in mind, Estrada called the MPD members to further support and cooperate with Coronel “so that we may all realize our dreams for our beloved city.”