Razon's farewell message: Keep PNP's image clean

MANILA, Philippines - With less than a week before he relinquishes command to his successor, outgoing national police chief Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon Jr. exhorted the Philippine National Police Monday to keep the PNP's image clean. In his farewell remarks in Monday's flag ceremony, Razon also exhorted the police force to give their full support to his successor, Dep. Dir. Gen. Jesus Versoza. "Continue to keep clean the image of Mamang Pulis who now stands tall and proud as the servant and protector of our country and people. Wear your uniform with dignity, pride and integrity. And wear it with a full heart for service," he said. The third part of Razon's three-fold farewell "advice" to the police force before he retires this Saturday was to keep etched in their hearts the words, "Service, Honor, and Justice." He said these words will see them through the most trying and difficult challenges of police work. "As law enforcers and public servants, you are expected to serve God, country and people with all your heart; to honor our democratic ideals and institutions and uphold the rule of law at all times; and to enforce the law without fear or favor," he said. On the other hand, he urged all police personnel to give Versoza, his deputy for administration, all their support. "As I turn over command of the PNP to my worthy successor, I ask that you give him all the support and cooperation you can muster and help him move the PNP towards finally realizing our vision of a capable, effective and credible police force," he said. Razon said that while he will leave the PNP with a heavy heart, he will do so with "deep pride in my heart for the opportunity to have served with the finest officers, men and women of the PNP." He thanked them for their support, inspiration, dedication and loyalty. "I say thank you to the Filipino people for believing and trusting in me. And above all, I say thank you to God Almighty for allowing me to hold on to Him as I led the PNP to where it is now," he said. He said that 12 months may not have been enough to do all what he had set to do as PNP chief, but the support he got from the personnel made his stay "good enough." "We have brought Mamang Pulis, the good cop, back to the streets – serving, protecting and being a friend to the community. We have brought the community closer to us, as we have seen in the overwhelming support to Mamang Pulis. And we have given life once more to our battle cry of 'To Serve and Protect' as we have seen in the continuing downtrend in crime over the past year," he said. Razon admitted the past 12 months have been turbulent, to say the least, but the turbulence was "more than compensated" by the determination of Mamang Pulis and Aling Pulis to "uphold the rule of law and live up to our mandate to serve and protect our country and people at all times." "It was more than compensated by the unwavering loyalty of the entire organization as Mamang Pulis and Aling Pulis together with our non-uniformed component supported me through the chaotic days following the Glorietta blast, the Batasan bombing, the Manila Pen caper, and the Lozada hearings, among others. It was more than compensated by the overwhelming support of the community that earned for the PNP a 49% approval rating from the public, the highest since 2001, and the distinction of making it as the 6th best performing agency in the country," he said. "I leave the service happy in the thought that I have done my best. And I have done my best because you gave me your cooperation and support. I cannot thank you enough," he added. On the other hand, he said he is ready to start life over on a fresh note, this time as plain "Mamang Sonny Razon," without the uniform and the stars on his shoulders. Still, he said he will have the same passion for service that saw him weather the storms, the risks, the dangers, and all the trials and challenges of military and police work. "I take with me the lessons and images of more than three decades of service – lessons that will serve to carry me through the next phase of my life, and images which will serve to inspire me to continue serving God, country and people in my own humble way. I leave on these grounds a humble legacy of sincere and genuine public service that I hope every Mamang Pulis and Aling Pulis will carry on in the days ahead," he said. - GMANews.TV