PNP to hold 'Takbong Maharlika' starting July 15

To promote fitness and national unity, the Philippine National Police (PNP) will will hold a “Takbong Maharlika Tungo sa Pagkakaisa" starting on July 15. The PNP said the 2,500-kilometer marathon will start in Laoag City in Ilocos Norte and end in Zamboanga City, covering the Maharlika Highway. "With this project, The PNP aims to encourage and urge PNP personnel and citizens in the locality to take on the fitness project and bring about national culture of fitness," the PNP said in a news release on its website. "The run will also symbolically link the provinces and municipalities of the Philippines by running through the historical 'Maharlika Highway' to showcase the culture and character of the Filipinos as 'Maharlika' (Noble) and 'Malakas' (Strong), both positive traits that can foster national unity (Pagkakaisa)," the PNP said. PNP Chief Director General Raul Bacalzo said the "apolitical act of unity" between the government and civilian population should "substantially dilute the citizenry’s poor perception toward the PNP and government." “After (a) series of setbacks the institution and the country had experienced, the marathon is not just timely but necessary to show national unity and cooperation," Bacalzo added. - VVP, GMA News