Metro police gain inroads in campaign vs street crimes

At least 440 people involved in small-time criminal operations were arrested since Dec. 1, prompting Metro Manila police chief Director Ricardo de Leon to declare that the police is "winning the war against petty criminals in the streets."

De Leon said that of the number, 78 were arrested for "tutok-kalawit", 118 for snatching, 41 for "salisi", four for "bukas-kotse" and 48 for bus and jeepney robberies.

The arrests came after the Metro Manila police established the Kaibigan, Alagad ng Batas, Lider ng Mamamayan, Yaman at Kaalaman at Ehemplo ng Katangi-tanging Asal (Kalye) program in the fight against petty street crimes.

"The requirement for the police here in Metro Manila, is to move out of the comfort zone and break into new frontiers," De Leon explained. "The duty is to remove lethargy and awaken to passion and enthusiasm in public service."

Fielding 354 Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) personnel, 254 motorcycle cops and 1,000 additional uniformed policemen to man the beat patrol, checkpoints and chokepoints since Dec. 1 resulted to the arrests of the petty criminals.

With the coming EDSA celebrations and the May elections, De Leon admitted the challenge remains great for the Metro Manila police.