Marcos also orders cops to intensify anti-cybercrime efforts
President Marcos ordered the Philippine National Police to focus on combating child exploitation and cybercrime as well as securing the 2025 midterm elections.
Mr. Marcos gave the directive during a command conference with PNP’s top brass in Camp Crame in Quezon City yesterday.
“The President stressed that no crime is worse than the exploitation of children, urging the police force to intensify efforts in protecting the youth from all forms of abuse and exploitation. This aligns with his administration’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable sectors of society,” the PNP said in a statement.
“Recognizing also the growing threat in the digital landscape, the President underscored the importance of equipping the PNP with the necessary skills and tools to combat cybercrime effectively.”
The commander-in-chief likewise ordered the PNP to boost its campaign against illegal firearms and private armed groups ahead of the midterm polls next year.
“The President instructed the PNP to intensify its campaign against illegal firearms and dismantle private armed groups. He underscored the importance of creating a secure and peaceful environment to uphold the integrity of the electoral process,” the PNP said.
In a separate statement, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil said he directed all police units to intensify the crackdown on private armed groups and loose firearms following the President’s directives.
“Our intensified campaign against private armed groups and loose firearms underscores our commitment to providing a safe environment for every Filipino, especially as we approach the election period. The PNP is resolute in its mission to dismantle these groups and eliminate threats to peace,” Marbil said.
He said the PNP was able to reduce the number of active private armed groups from six last year to only three this year, following the disbandment of the Kunti Melo Group in Bukidnon and the Bal and Mayo Groups in Nueva Ecija.
“By aggressively targeting private armed groups and the illegal firearms they use, we are dismantling their capacity for violence and intimidation,” the PNP chief said.
From Jan. 1 to Nov. 30, the PNP said it arrested 8,628 individuals for violating Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
During this period, 25,240 firearms were either confiscated, recovered, or surrendered, while 9,932 were turned over for safekeeping.
The highest number of arrests for firearms law violations was recorded by the National Capital Region Police Office with 2,033 arrests, followed by Central Luzon with 979 and central Visayas with 906.
Meanwhile, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the security command conference led by the President at Camp Crame was not a “loyalty check.”
“There’s no need to conduct a loyalty check. Time and again, we keep on saying that the PNP will remain loyal to the Constitution and to our duly constituted authorities,” she said.
“We cannot be affected by political noise and other bickering. The PNP is focused on its mandate, especially now that the holiday season is approaching and after January, we also expect the conduct of major events. So, the PNP is all focused here on maintaining order and peace throughout our country,” Fajardo said.
