Abalos donates 33 patrol cars

Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. donated 33 new patrol vehicles yesterday to the local police force and barangays, aimed at making criminals think twice before striking in the city – home to some of Metro Manila’s largest shopping centers.

The new batch of vehicles brings to 55 the number patrol cars of the Mandaluyong City police, which is in the thick of preparation to ensure a peaceful, safely and orderly Yuletide season.

Metro Manila police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco received the new Toyota Revo vans yesterday from Abalos after the flag-raising ceremony at the Maysilo Compound in Barangay Barangka. Six were issued to the police while the remaining 27 would be released to the barangays.

Velasco said the patrol cars will be used in traffic management and render public assistance, especially in the vicinity of popular malls and shopping centers.

"We welcome the donation of Mayor Abalos which would greatly help improve the peace and order situation of Mandaluyong City," Velasco said, noting that the additional vehicles would intensify the police visibility and campaign against criminality.

Abalos expressed alarm over a recent spate of crimes, including a robbery case involving dzMM anchorwoman Kaye Dacer, who lost more than P4 million in cash and belongings to burglars who entered her condo unit located on Pioneer Street last Dec. 2.

Four armed men also stole a black Mazda 323 (WND-557) last Nov. 28 along P. Cruz corner Aglipay Street.

Velasco said patrol cars would be deployed along the city’s strategic areas during rush hour as well as in other barangays tagged as crime-prone areas based on statistics of the local police crime information analysis. The Metro police chief said 20 cars will be deployed on the stretch of EDSA, nine on Shaw Boulevard, eight on Boni Avenue, six on St. Francis Street and ADB Avenue, and three each on Ortigas Avenue and on Coronado Street near the Pasig River. The remaining cars will conduct roving patrols, he said. – Non Alquitran