NCRPO chief orders checkpoint operations on taxis

A Toyota Vios airport taxi / Wikipedia Photo

MANILA — With the increasing number of holdup incidents involving taxi drivers, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Supt. Carmelo Valmoria ordered all five District Directors of Metro Manila to conduct checkpoint operation and establish choke point at night in their area of responsibility to stop and prevent this kind of criminality.

Valmoria said that they are now closely monitoring all taxi in Metro Manila after expressed alarm over the series of taxi holdups wherein the taxi driver himself robbed his passenger or passengers.

The NCRPO Chief said aside from keeping a close watch on the riding-in tandem criminals, police have been alerted about the series of taxi holdups taking place lately.

Valmoria, asked the cooperation of the riding public and motorists, saying that he was pretty sure that the general public would not mind the check point since the same was being conducted to ensure their safety.

At the same time, he appealed to taxi riders and all the commuters in general to stay alert in commuting or taking a ride of public transportation such as bus, jeepneys and taxi or MRT and LRTs especially during the wee hours of the night wherein bad elements took advantage of the situation.

He also said that the riding public should not only keep an eye on snatchers, robbers, the so-called ipit taxi gang, but as well as the Salisi gang, Siksik gang, Riles gang, Budol-budol gang, Condo Criminal gang, Solicit Gang among others.

Earlier, police warned the public to take extra care of themselves and their valuables noting rampant petty crimes in public places such as in malls and markets as well as in Divisoria in Manila; Monumento in Caloocan City; Cubao in Quezon City; Shaw Blvd in Pasig and Mandaluyong Cities; and Baclaran in Pasay and Parañaque City.

The NCRPO likewise noted the increasing number of street crimes taking place now a days due to Christmas season.

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.

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.