The Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) vowed that it is still committed to its pledge “to serve and protect” amid backlash for allegedly understating the number of participants during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s 80th birthday prayer rally dubbed “Rody at 80: Global Celebration of His Life and Legacy” in Davao City on March 28.
This developed after PRO 11 and the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) approximated that the rallies drew only 60,000 attendees in Davao City and 96,100 in the entire Davao Region–a claim refuted strongly by netizens and residents of Davao City who attended the rally.
Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO) head Angel Sumagaysay disputed the number of attendees estimated by PRO 11 and said that based on the area occupied by the crowd computed in number of persons per square meter, the attendees reached at least 320,000- 350,000 individuals in Davao City alone.
The public also criticized PNP spokesperson BGen. Jean Fajardo for coming up with a questionable estimate of 60,000 attendees across 240 locations, which would mean only 200 to 300 attendees per location.
PRO 11 spokesperson Major Catherine dela Rey confirmed on Wednesday that the morale of the PNP is still high despite the criticisms.
“Taas gihapon ang morale sa pulis sa Davao Region. Dili man na ingon na maapektuhan mi kung unsa man gali ang nahitabo sa among palibot kay we have to remain committed sa amoang sa amoang pledge na to serve and protect. Wala mi nagatan-aw kung unsa comment sa uban, padayon mi sa amoang pag serbisyo, sa among pagtrabaho. Kung naay muingon na nawad-an nami ug pagsalig sa pulis pero kabalo mi kung naa sila’y problema mudagan gihapon sila sa amoa ug tabangan gihapon namo sila,” Dela Rey said during the Davao City Peace and Security Press Corps media briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.
Meanwhile, PRO 11 Regional Director Brigadier General Leon Victor Rosete emphasized that the PNP remains a neutral and non-partisan organization, committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the security and safety of every citizen, regardless of political affiliation.
Rosete said this aligns with the orders of the PNP Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil who emphasized that the PNP must provide security and maintain peace, without bias or preference, ensuring that all public assemblies remain safe and orderly.
