Students, beware of friendly strangers

Police warned students yesterday against accommodating "friendly and glib-tongued" strangers since they may have bad intentions.

These strangers, police officials said, usually position themselves near school campuses, especially at the University Belt in Manila, approach students and offer help before robbing them of cash intended for tuition and books.

"Chances are these strangers have bad intentions," Metro police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco said.

During a command conference yesterday, Velasco revealed the modus operandi of sweet-talking criminals as he directed the police district directors and station commanders to implement preventive measures not only in schools but also in bookstores and malls.

"We will concentrate on areas where students spend time prior to the opening of classes," Velasco said.

He pointed out that with the opening of classes just a few days away, the Metro police force has started its offensive against criminality.

This early, two men preying on students have been arrested. They were identified as Reynaldo Rodriquez, 39, and John David, 20, who were caught in Parañaque City Tuesday night.

Velasco said the suspects were arrested in follow-up operations conducted by the men of city police chief Superintendent Ronald Estilles in Barangay San Dionisio.

Rodriquez and David were allegedly responsible for the rash of holdup cases atop the Kayboboy bridge, victimizing students and workers and innocent commuters as well.

Rodriquez yielded a sachet of shabu, two wristwatches believed to have been stolen, four pieces of screwdrivers and a fan knife.

"The arrest of the two holduppers should send a strong signal to criminals that we are not lowering our guard against them, especially during the opening of classes," said Velasco.

Velasco also reported yesterday that all implementing guidelines are in place for the opening of classes on June 9 and 16. "We are ready," he said as he thanked the citizenry and the local government units for their support to the anti-crime drive.

Velasco particularly cited Manila Mayor Lito Atienza who donated 50 motorbikes to the Western Police District (WPD) intended for use at the U-Belt area. Atienza promised to donate an additional 50 motorbikes.

Aside from deploying uniformed policemen, Velasco said plainclothes cops will also be dispatched. The policemen will be augmented by barangay tanods and security guards, the force-multiplier of the Metro police. The NCRPO chief also directed Senior Superintendent Luisito Maralit, head of the Traffic Enforcement Group (TEG) of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to field traffic enforcers in traffic-congested areas of Metro Manila during the opening of classes.

Velasco emphasized that the deployed policemen will not only go after criminals but would also help untangle traffic in the vicinity of the school campuses.