Jonvic: ‘This is only the start’ as gov’t rolls out major PNP equipment upgrade

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Monday said the national government is stepping up efforts to strengthen the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) mobility and patrol capabilities in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to intensify peace and order nationwide.

Speaking at the blessing ceremony for newly acquired PNP equipment at Camp Crame, Quezon City, Remulla underscored the long-standing need to address mobility gaps within the police force.

“Ang biggest problem ng PNP natin is mobility eh. For Metro Manila lalong-lalo na, we have more than 40,000 police officers but only 500 police vehicles,” Remulla said. He added that over the next two years, the government is eyeing a major increase in resources: “So, ang strategy natin with the rest of 2026 and 2027, dapat mag increase tayo ng force readiness natin from the current value, dapat magdagdag tayo ng another 2,000 police vehicles para sa Pilipinas.”

Among the newly procured equipment were 608 Personnel Carriers and Transport Vehicles, 438 Light and Heavy Motorcycles, 4,989 Protective Gears, 322 Aerial Drones, 505 Mobile Devices, and 3,155 Essential Firearms.

Remulla also announced that the PNP is expected to receive 500 more vehicles by January 2026 and another 600 by July, with distribution set nationwide.

To enhance communication systems, Remulla said the DILG is set to acquire around 2,000 Push-to-Talk Over Cellular (POC) communication units by year’s end — devices that combine a body camera, cellphone, and radio in a single unit.

“Dati, hindi ganoon ka efficient ang mga radyo na ginagamit ng mga police natin, tapos mahal naman ‘yung mga cellphone. Ngayon ‘yung mga POC natin, it’s a body cam, it’s a cellphone, it’s a radio sabay-sabay ‘yan. Very efficient way of communicating,” he said.

Remulla also praised the PNP for its performance during the recent peace rally. “Napakagaling ng police natin kahapon, excellent work. Nakita natin, walang incidence, maayos ang traffic management.”

He affirmed that Monday’s turnover ceremony marks the beginning of a larger initiative. “This is only the start,” he added, signaling continued modernization of the PNP in the months ahead.