By Eva C. Visperas

 

A shift is underway in the Philippine National Police (PNP), one that might redefine public service and community security in the years to come.

It began with a bold challenge from the newly installed PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III and echoed through the hallways of Camp BGen Oscar Florendo last June 5 during a press conference led by Brigadier General Lou Evangelista, Police Regional Office 1 director.

The message was clear: The era of complacency is over. Torre’s new marching orders are grounded in urgency, modernization, and measurable goals, most strikingly symbolized by the ambitious push for a three-minute response time to emergency calls, which was later adjusted to five minutes to be pilot-tested in Metro Manila.

It’s a benchmark that many would consider aspirational, but for PBGen Evangelista and his regional command, it’s already shaping into a concrete objective, supported by frequent drills, structural realignments, and a renewed sense of accountability.

“We are doing drills almost every day to achieve the goal,” Evangelista said, his tone both serious and confident. At present, PRO1 clocks in an average of 3.8 minutes — a respectable figure by national standards — but Torre’s vision demands more.

And this vision is not confined to numbers or performance metrics. At its core lies a deeper commitment: to rebuild public trust in the police force through discipline, visibility, and community responsiveness.

The reforms are part of a broader strategic blueprint of the new PNP chief focused on three leadership pillars – swift and responsive public service, unity and morale within the ranks of the police, and accountability and modernization.

Each pillar points toward a future where police officers are not only better equipped and trained but also more present — both physically and socially — within the communities they serve.

During the press briefing, Evangelista emphasized the foundational role of police visibility, particularly in high-density and high-risk areas such as urban areas and coastal barangays. Over 10,000 officers are being mobilized across Region 1 to ensure that law enforcement remains not only reactive but proactively embedded within local settings. For a population weary of delayed responses and under-resourced precincts, this marks a significant cultural shift.

Yet, these reforms are not without hurdles. Evangelista was transparent in pointing out the resource gaps plaguing the system. “Ang kulang po sa amin ngayon ay tao, equipment, at logistics,” he said, calling for increased congressional support in the form of funding and recruitment.

In many towns, the current deployment does not even reach the ideal of one officer per barangay — a sobering reminder of the scale of the challenge.

To bridge these gaps, the PNP is also leaning into partnerships with force multipliers, especially in areas where drug trafficking routes remain a concern.

Additionally, technology is being positioned as a force equalizer. From body-worn cameras and surveillance-equipped patrol cars to apps like I-Police and push-to-talk mobile radios, Torre’s doctrine embraces digital modernization as a core principle, not a luxury.

But perhaps the most transformative part of the doctrine is cultural. Evangelista was candid about breaking away from what he called the “police box tamad” culture, where officers remain static in their posts instead of circulating within their communities. The vision now is of a mobile, agile, and constantly visible police force — one that inspires confidence rather than suspicion.

The PNP has often faced criticism for being reactive, bureaucratic, and out of touch. But this recalibration — if sustained and fully funded — could change all that. This is where Torre’s challenge lies: to turn policy into perception. For a citizen, trust is built not in press rooms, but on well-lit streets where officers are seen, engaged, and swift to act.

Evangelista’s words ring like both a vow and a warning: “Sinisiguro at ipinapangako namin sa inyo na ang mga serbisyong aming nasimulan ay aming higitan.”

If that promise holds, then the Torre Era may well be remembered as the turning point when the PNP not only redefined public service, but earned back public trust.

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