Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief PLTGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. highlighted the ongoing modernization of the police force, emphasizing new recruitment and improved compensation for policemen.

Interviewed during Dos Por Dos on Wednesday, Nartatez said that more than 8,000 new officers were recruited in 2025 and are currently undergoing training, with plans to bring in around 11,000 more in 2026. He described these measures as part of a broader effort to strengthen the PNP and improve service delivery.

“Ang ating inaasam ay magbago ang PNP, matransform ng PNP. Tatlo lang po ang kailangan ng PNP para magbago,” Nartatez said emphasizing the significance of police officers being well paid, well trained, and well equipped to be further efficient in their jobs.

Under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., police salaries and allowances have been substantially increased.

Daily subsistence allowances have risen from P150 to P350, while clothing and equipment allowances for recruits have also been boosted. Salaries are set to grow by five percent annually over the next three years.

The acting chief stressed that modernization goes hand-in-hand with integrity. “It’s very unfair for the 95 percent who do good work when the five percent who misbehave are not properly investigated or held accountable,” he said, reaffirming the PNP’s commitment to addressing misconduct in the ranks.

Other modernization programs include the strengthening of the Unified 9-1-1 system and the deployment of thousands of body-worn cameras for officers, aimed at improving transparency and operational efficiency.