MANILA - President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday was all praises for outgoing Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ricardo Marquez, citing his efforts to bring down criminality.

Aquino, who was guest of honor at the retirement ceremonies for Marquez, enumerated the achievements of the PNP under the leadership of its outgoing chief.

Marquez opted to step down early, exactly two months before his scheduled retirement on August 28.

He was appointed as chief of the PNP in July 2015, replacing Leonardo Espina, who was appointed officer-in-charge after Alan Purisima resigned following the Mamasapano tragedy.

In his speech, Aquino emphasized the gains of the PNP's Oplan Lambat Simbat under Marquez.

According to Aquino, a total of 3,732 most wanted persons were arrested by police authorities during the short term of Marquez.

Crime rate also went down by as much as 80 percent, the President added. He said latest data show that from 35 cases in 2014, Metro Manila now sees only a weekly average of 21 murder/homicide cases.

Cases of robbery/theft/carnapping have also gone down from a weekly average of 952 to 200, Aquino said.

Aquino said Marquez, who also led the security preparations for Pope Francis' visit in January 2015 and the APEC Summit in November last year, also strengthened unity among members of the national police force.

"Malinaw sa kanya, imbes na magsilbi sa mga padrino, wala dapat
na ituring na mga boss kundi ang taumbayan," the outgoing President said.

"Yan nga po ang katangian ng liderato ni Ric Marquez. Mahusay, maaasahan, may malasakit at may paninindigan sa pagtupad ng mandato. Sinasagad ni Ric ang bawat pagkakataon para pahusayin pa ang serbisyo ng ating kapulisan.

"Malinaw po, kaisa natin si Ric sa pagsisigurong ang nagmamalasakit sa bayan ay hindi na napapagiwanan," he added.