24/08/2026
๐๐ฒ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ด๐ฒ: ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฝ๐ ๐ฏ๐๐ถ๐น๐ฑ ๐ฝ๐๐ฏ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐ฟ๐๐๐ ๐๐ต๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐, ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ
The work of a police officer does not end when an arrest is made, a crime is solved, or an operation is completed. Behind every police accomplishment is a larger responsibility โ to keep communities safe, maintain public confidence, and ensure that those entrusted with enforcing the law remain accountable to the people they serve.
This responsibility is consistent with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. โs call for a more visible, disciplined, accountable, and trusted police force as a cornerstone of peace and order. In his message at the 2026 Philippine National Police Day, Marcos emphasized that peace and order should be measured not only by the absence of crime but also by response efficiency, public confidence, and the sense of safety the citizens feel. He likewise called on police personnel to maintain visibility, disciplined conduct, and service that communities can trust.
These principles have become particularly relevant to the Philippine National Police Regional Command 2 during the first 100 days of BGen. Mariano C. Rodriguez as the regional director. While the regional police force continues to intensify peace and order and law enforcement operations, it is also strengthening internal accountability, personnel management, transparency, and partnerships with the media and other stakeholders.
During a recent press conference, Rodriguez presented the accomplishments of the Police Regional Office 2 (PRO2) men and women, also known as the Valley Cops, in crime prevention and solution, anti-illegal drugs operations, the arrest of wanted persons, and other law enforcement initiatives. He also highlighted the significant increase in the police forceโs accomplishments in addressing the eight focus crimes being closely monitored across the region.
These accomplishments reflect PRO2โs continuing efforts to protect communities from threats to peace and order. At the same time, Rodriguez emphasized that effective policing cannot be measured solely through arrests, crime statistics, or successful operations. For him, building a professional and accountable police organization is equally important in ensuring that public safety efforts translate into better service and greater confidence among communities.
Building accountability from within
One of the priorities under Rodriguezโs leadership is strengthening accountability within the police organization. PRO2 has established a system to monitor the deployment and duty status of police personnel, helping ensure that officers are properly accounted for and available to perform their responsibilities.
This approach supports the Presidentโs call for a police force whose presence is felt by communities and whose conduct reflects the discipline expected from those entrusted with public safety. For PRO2, accountability begins with knowing where personnel are deployed, ensuring that they perform their duties, and addressing organizational concerns that could affect service delivery.
Rodriguez has also been visiting offices and police units to listen to personnelโs concerns. By addressing minor issues before they develop into more serious problems, police management can help maintain morale, discipline, and efficiency among its personnel. These initiatives form part of a broader effort to promote professionalism, accountability, and responsive public service within the organization.
For PRO2, strengthening the organization from within is essential to improving the quality of service delivered to the public. Police officers who are properly managed, supported, and held accountable are better positioned to respond effectively to the needs and concerns of the communities they serve.
Sustaining the peace and order campaign
Alongside these internal management initiatives, PRO2 continues to intensify its campaign against crime and other threats to public safety. During Rodriguezโs first 100 days, the regional police office reported increased accomplishments in addressing the eight focus crimes, as well as continuing operations against illegal drugs and wanted persons.
The campaign against illegal fi****ms has likewise been intensified. From May 1 to August 8, 2026, PRO2 recorded 491 fi****ms as part of its continuing efforts to reduce the availability of illegally possessed weapons that could be used in the commission of crimes and other violent activities.
These operations form part of the regional police officeโs broader peace and order strategy, which combines law enforcement with preventive measures and stronger coordination with communities and partner agencies. By addressing immediate security threats while strengthening police capability and accountability, PRO2 seeks to sustain a safer environment for residents across Cagayan Valley.
The approach also reflects the Marcos administrationโs broader emphasis on peace and security as essential foundations for development and public confidence. The President has directed government agencies to work together to address security concerns through coordinated and whole-of-government efforts, reinforcing the idea that maintaining peace is a shared responsibility among law enforcement agencies, local governments, communities, and other stakeholders.
A partnership built on trust
An important part of this effort is PRO2โs relationship with the media. Rodriguez recognizes journalists as vital partners in ensuring the public receives timely, accurate information about police operations, accomplishments, programs, and other developments concerning peace and order.
Through regular press conferences and open engagement with journalists, PRO2 provides an avenue for the police organization to explain its actions while allowing members of the media to raise questions and seek clarification on matters of public interest. Such interaction helps promote transparency and gives communities a clearer understanding of the work police officers are doing.
This police-media partnership is especially important in building public confidence. A community that is informed about police initiatives and understands law enforcement efforts is more inclined to cooperate in maintaining peace and order.
Rodriguez expressed appreciation to members of the media for their continued partnership in informing the public and bringing police programs and accomplishments closer to communities. For PRO2, responsible information dissemination is not simply about publicizing accomplishments but also about strengthening accountability and maintaining an open line of communication with the people.
The partnership was further strengthened through a Gun Safety Seminar and Fun Shoot conducted by PRO2 Range Officers for accredited media practitioners following the press conference. The activity provided participants with basic knowledge on firearm safety, proper handling, and responsible use, while giving members of the media a closer understanding of an important aspect of police work.
The activity was followed by the PRO2 Press Corps Meet and Greet at the PRO2 Clubhouse, where Rodriguez and members of the press corps had an opportunity to strengthen professional relationships and discuss ways to further improve police-media cooperation.
Beyond the first 100 days
The first 100 days of Rodriguez at the helm of PRO2 therefore represent more than a tally of police accomplishments. They reflect an effort to strengthen the organization from within while building stronger relationships with those outside the police force who share the responsibility of keeping communities safe.
Crime prevention and law enforcement remain at the core of PRO2โs mandate, but accountability, professionalism, transparency, and communication provide the foundation for sustaining public confidence. In this approach, the police are not working alone but alongside the media, local governments, communities, and other stakeholders.
As PRO2 continues its peace and order campaign, its challenge is not only to respond to crimes and security threats but also to ensure that every police officer understands the importance of professionalism, discipline, accountability, and public service. Continuing engagement with the media and other stakeholders is part of this effort to make police operations more transparent and accessible to the people.
Ultimately, the measure of an effective police organization goes beyond the number of arrests made, fi****ms recovered, or cases solved. It can also be seen in the confidence of communities that their police officers are present, accountable, responsive, disciplined, and committed to protecting the people they serve.
This is where the Presidentโs call for a police force that communities can trust finds meaning on the ground. For the Valley Cops, every patrol, operation, response,
community engagement, and conversation with the public is an opportunity to strengthen that trust.
For PRO2, building that confidence is a mission โ one that extends well beyond the first 100 days and contributes to the administrationโs broader pursuit of a safer, more peaceful, and more secure Cagayan Valley. (OTB/PDM/PIA Region 2)