14K police in metro for holidays
THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Saturday that it has ordered the deployment of around 14,000 police officers all over Metro Manila to ensure a peaceful and orderly celebration of the Yuletide season despite a drop in index crimes in the metropolis.
NCRPO spokesman LtCol. Dexter Versola said they will closely monitor law enforcement and public safety operations by all units down to the police stations, particularly in churches and other places of convergence during the traditional Simbang Gabi and Misa de Gallo.
The NCRPO covers five districts: Manila Police District (MPD), Quezon City Police District (QCPD), Northern Police District (NPD), Southern Police District (SPD) and Eastern Police District (EPD).
The five police district directors under NCRPO’s command have been instructed to conduct security assessments to determine crime-prone areas and plan their deployment of foot and mobile patrols accordingly, Versola said.
NPD director Col. Ponce Rogelio Peñones told The Manila Times that he had already met with the top police station commanders in his turf, including Valenzuela City Police chief Col. Salvador Destura Jr. and Caloocan Police chief Col. Ruben Lacuesta.
Both assured him of intensified police visibility, especially in crowded areas like commercial centers, malls as well as churches.
“While most people are busy doing shopping, this is also the time criminal elements are taking advantage of the situation. But our policemen, both in civilian and uniforms, will be around to go after them,” the NPD chief said.
Versola also said that the NCRPO under the leadership of BGen. Jonnel Estomo has managed to lessen the index crimes recorded from September up to November this year.
This is because of the implementation of SAFE, which stands for police operations that are “Seen, Appreciated and Felt” by the people.
He added that the NCRPO’s security program, which boosts police visibility in Metro Manila, was implemented in August after Estomo assumed command.
From 663 recorded crimes in September 2022, the figure decreased to U96 in October and 468 in November, the NCRPO said.
Statistics also showed that the index crimes recorded in November this year were much lower than the 829 in November 2020 and U99 in November 2021, respectively.
Meanwhile, Versola said Estomo’s efforts have strengthened the NCRPO’s partnership with the general public and religious sectors, among others.
The NCRPO chief believed that criminality, terrorism, illegal drugs, vices and all other forms of community threats are best battled with the strong support of the community and religious sectors, according to Versola.
“With the support from the church and the community at large, our vision for a better Philippines can be strengthened by intensifying our drive for law and order and anti-criminality operations,” Estomo said.