GMA hails Caloocan cops

President Arroyo yesterday commended the Caloocan City police force for bringing down the crime rate, at least for the last two months, in the city.

This was gathered from Caloocan City police chief Senior Superintendent Benjardi Mantele, who had to rush to Substation 1 at Malolos Avenue, corner de Jesus Street in Bagong Barrio from his office at police headquarters on Samson Road in Caloocan upon learning the President was on her way there some 30 minutes before the entourage arrived. Northern Police District Office (NPDO) chief Senior Superintendent Marcelino Franco Jr. and Mantele were on hand to meet the President in the station.

"She was elated when we reported to her last night a downtrend in the crime rate in our jurisdiction despite our being undermanned," Mantele said.

Mrs. Arroyo made the surprise visit noting that Caloocan has the second highest crime rate in Metro Manila next only to Manila. The visit was the second made on a police station since giving the police a stern reminder a week ago to curb rising criminality in the metropolis. The Presidential entourage left the station at 11:30 p.m.

"Caloocan is much bigger than Manila in terms of area but with the 600 men we have, we were able to bring down the rate of street crimes by a respectable 19 percent," Mantele said. The Caloocan police station has the distinction of being awarded the best police station in Metro Manila in the last five years since 1998.

Franco said the president was happy with the "on the spot" report made by Mantele. The official said he could not cite specific numbers but said he is yet to meet with the chiefs of police in his district for an update. – Jerry Botial