Petron putting up more police outposts in stations

Oil giant Petron Corp. and the Philippine National Police ( PNP) have widened their partnership in road and community safety program with the establishment of 300 additional outposts in selected Petron stations nationwide.

Petron and PNP have signed a memorandum of agreement which involves the deployment of 210 additional outposts in Luzon and 90 more outposts in Visayas and Mindanao in the oil firm’s stations.

Petron vice president for national sales Archie Gupalor said the company will provide PNP booths inside gasoline stations to be manned by PNP personnel regularly to attend to complaints and for posting and distribution of crime prevention materials.

These 300 additional outposts is in support of the na- tional government’s efforts to promote safer communities through increased police visibility and crime prevention awareness. It will be an addition to the 20 pilot Lakbay Ligtas outposts established in selected Petron stations in Metro Manila, Bulacan and Laguna last year.

“Our partnership with the PNP has been so successful that we will expand its coverage to 300 more stations nationwide. With more Lakbay Ligtas booths in key Petron stations in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, we will be able to ensure the safety, security and welfare of our communities,” Gupalor said.

The PNP will also train Petron station personnel where there are Lakbay Ligtas outposts on what to do and what numbers to call in case police assistance is required.

PNP Chief Roland M. Dela Rosa said in a statement Petron has the widest network of service stations in the country.

“The expansion of this community safety program nationwide is very timely as the government steps up its drive to stamp out criminality especially drug-related offenses. Since Petron stations are already an integral part of their respective communities, we will be able to respond faster and enhance the safety of our fellow Filipinos,” he said.

Lakbay Ligtas also supports the PNP and the Department of Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Oplan Lambat Sibat which integrates the extensive use of checkpoints, mobile and beat patrols and police operations to prevent the rise of criminality in Metro Manila. –