MANILA - During his last day as Metro Manila police chief, Director Camilo Cascolan thanked his men and congratulated them for a job well done.

"I want to recognize all the good performances of my people in NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office). I recognize and appreciate all the personnel of the NCRPO for a job well done. Let's continue to serve with a smile. Let's be the standard," Cascolan said.

"The pride of the NCRPO are the men in uniform, from the RD (Regional Director) down to the lowest ranking PO1 (Police Officer 1). They have done their job well. Very active ang mga pulis natin (Our police are very active). The proudest moment is when we serve with a smile," he added.

P/Dir Camilo Cascolan recognizes good performance of his men during his stint as NCRPO chief, says proudest moment is when he, his men serve the people of Metro Manila with a smile @ABSCBNNews pic.twitter.com/JVDAuvxI2u

— Bianca Dava (@biancadava) June 1, 2018

Cascolan was removed from his post on Friday, barely one and a half months after he was assigned. He will now head the PNP Civil Security Group in Camp Crame, which handles the licensing of security agencies.

Replacing Cascolan is Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar, who headed the Calabarzon Police.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Cascolan took pride in saying that it was during his stint as NCRPO chief that Metro Manila recorded the lowest average weekly crime rate since the start of the Duterte administration.

During the said period, murder and homicide cases decreased from 34 to 33 incidents; physical injury complaints declined from 85 to 38 incidents; rape from 21 to 15; robbery from 63 to 41; theft from 103 to 95; car theft from 4 to 1, and; motorcycle theft from 19 to 9 incidents.

He added that there were no significant violent incidents recorded during big activities held in Metro Manila under his leadership. These activities include the conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections and Labor Day rallies, among others.

"In one month's time, we have lowered our crimes. It's an all-time low: 220. We are very proud of it. The support of the NCRPO and the community was overwhelming."

Asked what may have prompted his reassignment, Cascolan answered: "We're doing fine, doing good. I still don't know why we we're relieved but still, as a good soldier, we just have to follow."

He also vowed to continue serving the people in his new assignment.

"My programs are always aligned with the programs of the PNP (Philippine National Police). Ako ang gumawa ng Double Barrel at Enhanced MPO (I created Oplan Double Barrel [PNP's anti-drug campaign] and Enhanced Managing Police Operations). I always say let's be the standard, serve with a smile and put commitment in everything we do," he said.

Cascolan assumed the top Metro Manila Police post last April 23. Prior to this, he headed the PNP Directorate for Operations.