Arroyo thanks police for quelling 'revolutionaries,' coup attempts

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed gratitude to the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday, saying its personnel “rose to the occasion" when “revolutionaries" conspired to bring down her government. Speaking at the 19th anniversary of the PNP at Camp Crame, Mrs. Arroyo vowed to turn over a “new Philippines" to the next government after the 2010 elections. “…[I]n quelling the attempts of revolutionary conspiracies to subvert constitutional authority, [the PNP] always stood by the constitution and…did it without having to resort to force," she said. She urged them to continue bringing honor to the organization through its personnel’s continued good service. Under her watch, the PNP had conducted itself professionally in handling various “coup attempts, mass actions and other politically-motivated activities." She also expressed admiration for the police force “for demonstrating more temperance compared to the past even in the face of provocation." The President also stressed that the nation is grateful to the PNP for its men and women’s valor and sacrifice, “whether they are celebrated or everyday occurrences or hidden achievements." She cited the PNP’s high approval rating of 57 percent, which she said is a “thank-you" from the people of the Philippines. Mrs. Arroyo also lauded the PNP for playing a large role in the fight against global terrorism through intelligence gathering and sharing. She likewise congratulated the PNP for its campaign against loose firearms, adding she already certified the necessity of immediately enacting a bill enforcing stiffer penalties on illegal firearms and light weapons. Mrs. Arroyo lauded the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines for their cooperation in keeping the peace in Maguindanao after a massacre that occurred in November 23. In the ensuing declaration of martial law on Maguindanao, the PNP and AFP deserve congratulations after they showed good rapport. Mrs. Arroyo also drew comparisons to the PNP and her nine-year rule, which started when she was catapulted to Malacañang in the wake of the EDSA 2 revolt in January 2001. “Like the PNP, the Philippines itself have come a long way since January 2001," she said. She added that time has “gratefully" erased memories of the tumultuous time when the nation entered into political chaos and financial difficulties. At the time, she said few jobs were created while the public sector debt of P3.6 billion took its toll on the gross domestic product of P10.3 billion. “[Rather than shirk responsibility], together with you I rolled up my sleeves determined to turn the Philippines around," she said. She said that through fiscal discipline, the government achieved several gains, including investments in the police. She added she never shied away from doing her job even if she would lose popularity, citing her passage of the expanded value added tax (EVAT). During her term, more housing projects for police personnel were built, including housing programs for the police in police camps in Taguig, Cavite, and Cagayan de Oro, she said. Under her watch, the police earned more than double of what they received in 2001. This is on top of scholarships for their children and cheaper medicines, she said. - RJAB Jr./GMANews.TV