PRESIDENT Marcos on Tuesday called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to take “more decisive and responsive actions to restore public trust,” even as national crime rates have dropped over the past year.
Meanwhile, PNP chief Gen. NicolasTorre III demonstrated their five-minute police response to the President and showcased how his units respond to 911 emergency calls nationwide
Speaking at the PNP’s 124th anniversary celebration at Camp Crame, Quezon City, Marcos lauded the force’s milestones, including the launch of the “Five-Minute Response Time Strategy” and the revitalization of the Emergency 911 Hotline, which he said had saved lives in thousands of cases.
“Five minutes can mean the difference between safety and danger, even between life and death,” the President said, adding that the challenge was to ensure quick police response “rain or shine, during ordinary days and more so in times of crisis.”
The Chief Executive acknowledged that while statistics show a decline in crime incidence from June 2024 to June 2025 compared to the previous year, public perception of safety is equally important.
“We do not ask people to celebrate statistics if their experiences tell a different story,” he said.
He also highlighted the PNP’s modernization efforts, citing the use of drones and advanced technologies in operations. But he warned that technology must be matched by a strong ground zero police presence and integrity within the ranks.
“Even the most modern equipment is useless if there are still police officers who abuse their power,” he said, stressing his administration’s ‘zero tolerance’ for corruption.
“We will continue to investigate and hold these people accountable within the bounds of the law,” Marcos added.
At the same time, the President commended PNP officers who have shown loyalty and bravery in service, pledging continued government support.
The event also recognized awardees of the Medalya ng Katangitanging Gawa and other special citations for contributions to public safety, community engagement, and institutional development.
President Marcos also thanked the families of the police officers for their “unwavering support and love.”
“The true measure of your effectiveness is how safe and empowered our people feel under your watch and the trust they place in the badge you wear,” he said.
PNP demonstrations included drone-assisted operations and the use of body-worn cameras (BWCs), 800 of which can stream live video.
The PCC also houses about 40 members of the PNP 911 Emergency Response Team.
Aside from the demonstration, Torre also showed the President recorded videos of cops serving arrest warrants during various police operations nationwide.
Torre also showcased the police force’s readiness, capability, and speed in responding to emergencies, including its five-minute response time policy.
He explained first-hand the real-time maps, live monitoring systems, and GPS-integrated tools that enable police to track incidents as they happen, reducing response time and ensuring quick, decisive action.
He said the public no longer needs to look for a police officer on the street, as the system is now fully equipped to provide immediate assistance “anytime, anywhere.”
Torre said that around 60 percent or more than 10.5 million 911 emergency calls from August 2024 to June this year have been “successfully handled or processed.”
“Since the launch of our revitalized PNP emergency 911 command center on Aug. 8, 2024, up to June 15, 2025, we have received over 17.5 million calls and more than 10.5 million, or 60.34 percent have been successfully handled or processed,” Torre said in his speech during PNP’s 124th anniversary.
From June 2 to August 10, 2025, General Torre also bared that they had already handled 3,574 calls to 911 requiring police assistance.
“We responded to almost 94 percent within 5 minutes. That is more than 9 calls out of 10, and so as we mark our 124th year, the question before us is not what we have done but what more we can do,” the country’s top cop said.
“As the chief of the PNP, I call on every officer and personnel to continue embodying the true spirit of public service. Let us be the police force that people not only respect but truly trust,” he stressed.
According to Torre that under the 5-minute response policy, precincts without investigation functions were deactivated not to weaken the operations but to redeploy PNP personnel to where they are needed, in chokepoints, foot patrols and mobile units at the core of this rapid response initiative is our commitment to the emergency 911 program.
“Through our national network of police stations and field units, the PNP is a vital lifeline in emergencies, ensuring that help reaches people at the very moment it is most urgently needed because In this fast changing world, every second matters and in the PNP every second counts,” he added.
