Mar to Filipinos: You're safe this Christmas

MANILA, Philippines - Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas has assured the public that it can expect the "safest Christmas" celebration this year with the Philippine National Police's (PNP) intensified anti-crime drive.

"This will be our gift to the Filipino public: the safest Christmas season that we've all been working for," Roxas told officials of the more than 150,000 policemen stationed in different parts of the country.

Roxas has noted a downward trend in criminality in Metro Manila mainly due to the "deliberate, programmatic and sustained approach" under Oplan (operation plan) Lambat-Sibat.

He said the operation plan is set to be cascaded to all regions beginning early 2015.

The latest update from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) showed that robbery, and theft of car and motorcycle cases are at an all-time low of 534, compared to the weekly average of 900 to 1,000 petty crime incidents before the campaign was rolled out.

Roxas has already coordinated with PNP officer-in-charge Police Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina to ensure that high-crime areas of convergence, especially malls in Metro Manila, will be under the tight watch.

Roxas said that the department has also been active in social media by advising the public to take the necessary precautions to prevent any untoward incidents.