MANILA — In the light of high-profile criminal cases in the past days, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II on Wednesday announced that the Philippine National Police (PNP) will intensify its security measures by implementing two new strategic thrust to enhance the anti-criminality campaign in the country.
Roxas said part of security measures is setting up of more mobile checkpoints and aggressive operations that zero in on containing the movement of loose firearms and motorcycles, both used by riding in tandem killers.
Roxas said first on the strategic thrust is police visibility wherein additional police forces on the streets will conduct random check points, while the second is focused investigation of a team who will particularly look over each major crime.
On focused investigation, “one team is to one major crime unit,” which will concentrate on cases such as murder and homicide until it is solved, Roxas explained.
The plan will initially take effect in the Metro Manila immediately and will be disseminated throughout the country afterwards.
“We made some initiatives for the National Capital RegionPolice Office (NCRPO) that will be replicated in other parts of the country,” said Roxas in a press briefing at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City after a command conference with all police station commanders in Metro Manila.
It is under the visibility approach that the conduct of checkpoints and aggressive campaign against loose firearms fall, said Roxas.
Roxas said such an aggressive anti-crime operations are usually being done during elections, adding that it was proven to be effective since there was usually a significant decrease in criminal incidents during this period.
“If we can do this during election period, why can’t we do it everyday? This is for public safety anyway,” said Roxas. “We recognize the need to ensure the safety of the public and peace and order in the communities, as well as for the criminals to pay for the crimes they committed.”
Roxas said that some 40 regular checkpoints in the metropolis is expected to triple before the end of month.
He said the checkpoints will be backed up by aggressive campaign under Oplan (Operational Plan) Katok and Oplan Lambat.
The Oplan Katok is focused on the campaign against loose guns and firearms with expired licenses—the strategy is to visit at least 20 delinquent gun owners everyday for the 38 police stations in Metro Manila while the Oplan Lambat, is focused on the campaign against unregistered motorcycles that also include those with no license plates.
Roxas said that this security measure will be replicated in all regions especially if this proves to be effective in Metro Manila.
The Oplan Lambat, according to the PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima was field tested in the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) from June 2 to 14.
QCPD Director Richard Albano said from the 993 criminal incidents recorded last month in Quezon City, the crime volume was only at 113 in the first two weeks of this month after the Oplan Lambat took effect.
“We sought the help of the barangay officials in accounting the motorcycles in their areas. Those with no license plates and no registration will be immediately brought to our camp in Karingal,” he added.
Roxas said they expect positive result from all the 38 police station commanders in Metro Manila in two weeks time.
The PNP has been at the receiving end of criticisms in the past days following the killing of racer Enzo Pastor in Quezon City and hotel and resorts chain owner Richard King.