60 retired PNP, Philippine Constabulary officers back Leni for president

Sixty retired officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the now-defunct Philippine Constabulary have thrown their support behind the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo, citing her commitment to run after big time drug lords, among others.

"We, the undersigned retired officers of the Philippine National Police and former Philippine Constabulary Officers, strongly support and endorse the candidacy of Vice President Leni G. Robredo as President of the Republic of the Philippines. We believe in her advocacies, particularly on matters of peace and order," the group said in a manifesto.

Among the signatories were former National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia; Luisito Palmera, formerly of the National Police Commission,  retired Police Brigadier General Reginald Villasanta, from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, and retired Police Brigadier General Benjamin Hulipas from Northern Luzon.

The endorsement, the group said, was a result of a consultation meeting between Robredo and key retired PNP officers where she emphasized her commitment to the following key advocacies:

• continued and intensive war against illegal drugs, particularly on the drug lords
• addressing the supply concern by concentrating law enforcement efforts on big-time traffickers while reducing demand through education, rehabilitation of the users and strengthening the family and communities as forefront in the battle against this national menace

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• a science-based approach to combating crimes by re-focusing on PNP's crime prevention and crime solution mandate adhering to a deliberate, programmable, sustainable, and rules-based crime fighting concepts and observing established operational procedures to ensure police accountability.
• pursuit of PNP PATROL PLAN 2030 which fosters institutional development and professionalization of the police organization
• implementation of an inclusive, fair, and competency/merit-based placement & promotion system  free of political  influence, among others.

"Considering the foregoing platforms, we believe that Vice President Leni Robredo is the candidate with the required sincerity, political will, leadership, competency, and necessary moral strength and integrity to implement such critical programs for the best interest of the country. For this reason, we strongly endorse her candidacy and give our full and utmost support," the retired officers said.

The group also vowed to help ensure honest, orderly and peaceful elections.

"We Stand with the public in an effort to ensure that no  assault on the right to suffrage will come to pass and that the integrity of the democratic process shall be unsullied by any unlawful acts or omissions," they said. —Llanesca T. Panti/KBK, GMA News