The government of Turkey has pledged its support to the Philippine National Police's modernization program following the courtesy visit of Turkish military attache to the Philippines Capt. Yavuz Mercan at the PNP National Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

The Turkish attache was accompanied by Military Administrative Attache First Sgt. Uzeyir Ozbidak during the courtesy call and they were received by Police Brig. Gen. Flynn Dongbo and P/Col. Roderick Minong, from the logistics arm of the PNP.

According to PNP chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr., the Turkish delegates and the PNP affirmed commitment to bolster their cooperation particularly in modernizing the organization, much like Turkey's "keen interest" to support the modernization efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

"Our country is facing an increasingly complex array of challenges to internal security. The Turkish military attache's visit is a significant step for the PNP in its bid to continuously boost its operational capability in addressing emerging forms of criminality, terrorism, and other threats to national security," Azurin said.

The PNP is looking forward to the enactment of the Revitalization and Capability Enhancement Bill in the Congress. The proposed legislation, which is still pending at the committee level of the Senate, seeks to attain 100 percent basic "move — shoot — communicate — investigate" equipage fill-up in the police organization.

Once passed, it is expected to hasten the modernization efforts of the PNP.

As part of the PNP modernization, the PNP Bids and Awards Committee recently procured more than 8,000 units of 9mm striker-fired pistol "GIRSAN" under its capability enhancement program for 2021 and 2022.

GIRSAN is produced and manufactured in Turkey, and the pistols were supplied to the PNP by the joint venture of Makati City-based gun shop Nashe Enterprise and Turkish gun company GIRSAN Makina Vei Hafif Silah Tic As.