Camp Crame, Quezon City
16 July 2015
President Benigno S. Aquino III led the Philippine National Police (PNP) Change of Command Ceremony, inducting Police Director (PDIR) Ricardo Marquez as the new chief of the police force in the country, seven months after the post was vacated.
In his message, President Aquino commended PDIR Marquez for exhibiting the qualities a policeman must have: hardworking, alert and committed in fulfilling his mandate. He challenged the new police chief to hone the PNP into a stronger and more unified police force, saying that he should keep up and maintain the quality of service his predecessors have done.
“Ngayon, ang utos natin sa ating bagong hepe, simpleng-simple: Tanggalin at parusahan ang mga baluktot, at gantimpalaan naman ang tuwid para lalo pa silang magpakitang-gilas sa serbisyo,” the President said.
Likewise, Marquez accepted the task to lead the 160,000 strong men and women of the Philippine National Police and urged all the officers to strengthen the institution. He also appealed to the partner law enforcement agencies, local government units (LGUs) and the Filipino people to support the police in its fight against criminalities and pursuit for peaceful communities.
President Aquino, on the other hand, also recognized outgoing Police Deputy Director General (PDDG) Leonardo Espina for his service to the PNP. For seven months as the Officer-in-Charge, he said that PDDG Espina brought PNP closer to the public. He cited some of his commendable contributions during his term, including the capture of one of the most wanted criminals like Mohammed Ali Tambako, leader of the Justice for Islamic Movement.
However, President Aquino reminded the PNP, as well as the Filipino people, for a continuous cooperation, trust, and confidence for a more peaceful nation.
“Nasa likod ninyo ang bayan; kaya naman, isabuhay ninyo ang inyong mandato bilang nagkakaisang PNP, isang PNP na tumototoo sa sinumpaang tungkulin, isang PNP na tutok sa serbisyo, disiplinado at kongkretong simbolo ng pagbabago,” the Commander-in-Chief concluded.
Prior to his appointment as the PNP Chief, Marquez served as the Chief of the Directorate for Operations (DO) and former Regional Director of the Ilocos Regional Police Office in 2013. The two-star general who is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1982 was picked by President Aquino amongst three other candidates. He is expected to retire in August 2016.
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