Acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Sunday instructed police units nationwide to exercise maximum tolerance as they begin a three-day deployment to assembly sites and strategic areas.
In a statement, Nartatez praised officers for their dedication and sacrifices, particularly in recent disaster response efforts following strong earthquakes and typhoons, calling their presence “a source of hope” for affected communities.
He emphasized that police must uphold professionalism and integrity, warning against using authority to intimidate civilians. “We have no business using our power and authority to intimidate and hurt the civilians we vowed to serve and protect,” he said.
Nartatez stressed that force should be a last resort, only used against those who “twist the concept of freedom of expression by resorting to violence.”
He clarified the PNP’s role in a democratic society: “We in the Philippine National Police are not the savior of this country, rather, we are the protector of the Philippines, its people, its laws, and all the democratic institutions it represents.”
The PNP chief urged officers to turn frustrations into lessons, reminding them to respect authorities, uphold the Constitution, and serve and protect the Filipino people.