Stricter police security urged

Alarmed over the spate of killings and ambuscades the past few days, Metro Manila chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco ordered the implementation of a stricter security measure and intensified police visibility patrols in the metropolis. Velasco and the five police district directors reviewed and assessed yesterday Metro Manila’s game-plan on the effective maintenance of peace and order and security on the citizenry following the killing last week of former New People’s Army (NPA) chieftain Romulo Kintanar and the failed ambush yesterday of former Mayor Abner Afuang. " We have to make a proper adjustment to address the situation," said Velasco in his directive to the five police district directors.

Because of Kintanar’s killing, Velasco called for a tight watch on personalities being targeted by the NPA rebels. The NPA owned up to the killing of Kintanar and the police released the names of personalities believed to be under their "hit list."

"We should fortify our anti-criminality campaign, particularly against ambush incidents and crimes against property," he said.

Velasco also ordered tighter security in all vital installations, government agencies, transportation systems and public places.

The enhanced implementation of the "Huli Agad" program was included in the measures put into action for the police to pursue members of the NPA’s urban hit squads, as well as to dissuade the commission of street crimes such as carnapping, robbery, and cellular phone snatching.

Velasco also directed Senior Superintendent Gil Meneses, intelligence chief of the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) and other intelligence units to intensify their information-gathering operations.

Kintanar was eating in a restaurant in Quezon City when gunned down by three suspected NPA hit squad members.

Afuang was ambushed by armed men in front the McDonald’s fastfood chain along Paseo de Roxas, Legaspi Village, Makati City at 4:30 a.m. yesterday. The suspect, on board a Honda Civic shot Afuang’s car four times. But Afuang, former mayor of Pagsanjan, Laguna, survived by hiding in a nearby garbage container.