Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor ‘Jonvic’ Remulla on Tuesday emphasized the need to end the recurring blame game between police officers and prosecutors, urging stronger collaboration between the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Justice (DOJ).
“This time, it stops,” said Remulla. “This time, we work together. This time, we train together. This time, we learn together. And this time, we win together.”
He was speaking at the signing of the recent pledge of commitment to the Training and Educational Program for DOJ Prosecutors and Law Enforcement Agents (TEPLEA) 2025 at the DOJ Building in Manila.
Remulla said the initiative represents a new chapter in the justice sector coordination.
TEPLEA 2025 is a nationwide training effort that aims to strengthen coordination and professionalism among law enforcement agencies and prosecution offices.
Its first batch includes 100 personnel from the PNP, DOJ, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Remulla also called out public cynicism fueled by the lack of visibility of positive efforts by justice and enforcement institutions.
“We do not hear the good things the DOJ has done in promoting conviction. We do not hear about the Coast Guard defending our territorial integrity against the Chinese. Because of this, people become cynical. TEPLEA is one chance to erase that cynicism,” he said.
Also present at the event were Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, NBI Director Jaime Santiago, PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III, Philippine Coast Guard Vice Admiral Edgar Ibañez, Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Dioscoro Reyes, and PDEA Deputy Director General Israel Ephraim Dickson.