NCRPO alerts district commanders vs criminal syndicates this coming holiday season

Philippine National Police mass oath-taking. File photo courtesy of PNP on Facebook.

MANILA — In anticipation of possible upsurge in crimes this coming Christmas season, Director Carmelo Valmoria, head of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), ordered all district commanders in Metro Manila on Monday to be more alert against criminal syndicates.

Valmoria said the NCRPO is under heightened alert status, which means that policemen will intensify their security operations in places of convergence such as malls, shopping complexes and transport terminals where people usually congregate.

“We expect criminals to be more active as the holiday season draws nearer, that’s why we are already making proactive measures. I have already ordered my district commanders to be more alert against criminal syndicates,” Valmoria told the Philippines News Agency in a phone interview.

Valmoria said part of the security measures is heavy police presence in places of convergence in Metro Manila like malls and parks and popular shopping areas like Divisoria in Manila and Baclaran in Parañaque City.

The NCRPO chief also urged the public to cooperate in the general Yuletide security plan by not giving criminal elements a chance to strike.

He said the public could just follow the security tips such as ensuring the safety of the house if the entire family will go on vacation, or to be simple when going out on the streets by not wearing unnecessary jewelry.

He said the NCRPO continues the “Oplan Lambat” or the regular inspection of motorcycles’ documents to determine if these are stolen or with spurious documents.

He added that they will beef up the presence of checkpoints, roaming police patrols, police trainees and other signs of police visibility.

Valmoria also warned the public against members of criminal groups expected to increase in Metro Manila and other parts of the country as the Christmas season draws near.

Among these groups identified by the NCRPO are the Salisi Gang, Ipit Taxi Gang, Siksik Gang, Riles Gang, Budol Budol, Sneaky Office Intruders, Condo Criminals and Solicit Gang.