Manila: Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. announced plans to create a top-level task group to assist in the ongoing investigation into flood control projects. This initiative follows a request from Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon for police assistance in validating flood control projects across the nation.

According to Philippines News Agency, Nartatez emphasized the importance of forming the task group to ensure coordination for security and other necessary assistance in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s goals for truth and accountability in these projects. Nartatez stated that the PNP is ready to support the DPWH’s validation efforts, which are crucial for protecting lives and property during calamities. The PNP will provide personnel to assist in ensuring transparency, integrity, and security during the validation process.

Nartatez outlined that the PNP’s role will focus on providing security, maintaining order, and preventing any attempts to disrupt or compromise the validation activities. He assured that the deployment of personnel for this task will not impact the PNP’s ongoing security and peacekeeping responsibilities.

To maintain accountability, the PNP plans to designate a task group to work closely with DPWH engineers and officials and establish regular reporting to the DPWH, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Malaca±ang. The potential use of body-worn cameras during validation activities is also being considered to build public trust.

Nartatez emphasized that the PNP’s involvement aims to reinforce transparency, accountability, and trust in government projects that directly affect public safety. The PNP seeks to demonstrate its role not only as protectors of peace and order but also as partners in nation-building.

In addition to the DPWH’s validation efforts, Nartatez expressed readiness to provide similar security assistance to the Independent Commission on Infrastructure for their investigative activities.