A total of 2,060 newly-promoted police personnel from various units in Central Luzon took their oath at the Police Regional Office 3 Parade Ground here Monday.

Brig. General Rhodel Sermonia, regional director of the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3), administered the oath-taking and mass pinning of ranks to the newly promoted police commissioned officers and police non-commissioned officers witnessed by their families and relatives.

Sermonia, in his message, cited the importance of community relations, noting that the support of the people and the various government agencies are essential to fighting criminality and terrorism.

“The policing in this challenging times requires more than just flexing our muscles to win the war against criminality and terrorism. Thus, I put heavier emphasis on community relations. Police community relations is the heart and soul of Philippine policing. As newly promoted personnel, you will be the ambassadors of Police Community Relations,” he said.

Likewise, he urged everyone to continue the good work they and the organization have started and to serve as good examples to others in the accomplishment of their sworn duties and responsibilities.

He said that the rank and promotion are not rewards for what was done well but recognition that each police personnel has the potentials to do more.

“Promotion has an added responsibility. It is just the start of a new task that entails a bigger responsibility to work ever harder,” he said.

The pinning of ranks is done simultaneously in all levels of command of the Philippine National Police to acknowledge the achievement of those promoted. (PNA)