From tragedy to transformation: PNP’s 2025 in review

By the end of 2025, the Philippine National Police (PNP) stood tested by tragedy, turbulence, and transition — but emerged steadier, reformed, and resolute in its mission to protect the Filipino people.

The year began in grief. In January, the PNP mourned the loss of Col. Pergentino Malabed, who died in a tragic mid-air collision near Washington D.C.’s Reagan National Airport while on official travel. The devastating crash, involving a commercial airliner and a military helicopter, claimed hundreds of lives and cast a somber shadow over the police organization. Malabed’s death served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices borne by those in uniform, even beyond Philippine shores.

Yet amid sorrow, the early months of 2025 brought encouraging signs. By February, crime rates nationwide dropped by 26.76 percent compared to the same period in 2024. Focus crimes — ranging from theft and robbery to murder and carnapping — fell sharply, underscoring the impact of intensified police operations and community-based policing.

March marked one of the most politically charged moments in recent history. The arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte upon his arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, carried out with the assistance of Interpol, triggered nationwide tension and mass demonstrations.

The PNP, then led by CIDG director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, faced intense scrutiny as it enforced the rule of law amid protests, political pressure, and public unrest. Despite the volatility, the police organization maintained order and later reported a generally peaceful start to the local campaign period for the 2025 elections.

April highlighted the PNP’s role in reassurance and partnership. Following the kidnap-slaying of Filipino-Chinese steel magnate Anson Que, PNP leadership engaged the Filipino-Chinese business community, forging collaborative security measures to restore confidence and protect lives and livelihoods.

In May, the PNP described the midterm elections as generally peaceful, noting that the outcome was a testament to heightened security coordination and vigilance across the archipelago.

Law enforcement gains accelerated in June. The Anti-Cybercrime Group arrested over 5,000 individuals linked to online crimes, including former POGO employees, while the Highway Patrol Group dismantled carnapping and drug supply networks. Leadership also shifted as Torre assumed the role of PNP chief, initiating reforms, reshuffles, and a renewed focus on internal discipline, which resulted in the dismissal and sanctioning of erring officers.

July and August tested the organization’s integrity and innovation. The resurfacing of the missing sabungeros case renewed demands for justice, while the PNP intensified internal accountability.

In August, the public witnessed a milestone: the rollout of a five-minute police response time, demonstrated before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., symbolizing a more agile, technology-driven police force.

Sudden leadership changes followed, with Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. taking over as the third PNP chief in under a year. His tenure soon faced its sternest challenge in September, when massive anti-corruption protests erupted nationwide.

Violence, arrests, injuries, and loss of life tested crowd control, human rights safeguards, and public trust. Investigations, subpoenas, and the eventual filing of charges against alleged instigators reflected the PNP’s determination to pursue accountability within the bounds of the law.