MANILA, Sept. 15 (Xinhuanet) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to step up the fight against criminality and all threats to peace and security to realize her vision of a "strong republic".

　　"The police is very important in the building of a strong republic," Arroyo said in her speech at PNP headquarters in a Manila suburb, adding that the vision is realized and maintained only if the people feel safe in their homes and in the streets.

　　"We have so many crimes to deal with, crimes in the streets, crimes in the highways, and high-profile crimes that are bannered daily in the newspapers," said Arroyo, who, however, thanked the PNP for their total support for her administration, expressed in amanifesto read by PNP chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane.

　　"We must now train our sights on linkages between the underworld and those holding political power. The people must be aware of this threat and our people must not glorify rogue leadersmasquerading as paragons of reform or good performance," Arroyo said.

　　Arroyo also ordered the PNP chief to see to it that police officers do not frequent nightclubs and other entertainment sites as this "smacks of protection and corruption." She was referring to a recent robbery in a Karaoke bar in the national capital region that reportedly involved some police officers. Enditem