Stretch of CM Recto from  ’Soria to Legarda named ‘discipline zone’

The Manila Police District will start implementing a strictly “no nonsense” enforcement of existing laws and ordinances in a particular area in the city which will serve as the pilot area in the launching of the “Discipline Zone” in Manila.

The stretch of C.M. Recto from Divisoria to Legarda shall spearhead the creation of “Linisin Ikarangal ang Maynila (LIM) Discipline Zones” where the “culture of order and development shall radiate as they expand outward to outlying areas, until the whole city of Manila is covered,” according to MPD director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales.

The creation of “discipline zones” in Metro Manila is a project of National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Geary Barias. The plan, in cooperation with local executives in Metro Manila, calls for a crackdown on drunks, beggars, gamblers, litters, vendors, jaywalkers, vandals and even barkers of illegal terminals and other violators of existing city ordinances.

The plan will assure the full implementation of laws to bring back order and discipline in the streets, according to Rosales. To attain the full implementation of the discipline zone, policemen will be detailed to patrol the area until such time the public will be disciplined even without the presence of lawmen, Rosales said.

Minor incivilities such as drunkenness, begging, vandalism, disorderly behavior, graffiti, littering, if left unchecked and uncontrolled, produce an atmosphere that is conducive to crime and anarchy, resulting in more serious crimes in the streets and in communities as a whole, Rosales said.

Barias noted that the root of big crimes usually emanates from the failure of the people to observe discipline and obey simple ordinances.

Meisic police station chief Superintendent Neslon Yabut spearheaded yesterday the imposition of discipline in the Divisoria area by removing obstruction and cleaning the stretch of C.M. Recto Avenue in his area of responsibility. Yabut also dismantled illegal electrical and water connections installed by some vendors tapping the lines of legitimate buildings.

Moriones police station chief Superintendent Jose Mario Espino followed suit by removing illegal pedicab drivers who obstruct the free flow of traffic in Divisoria.  — Nestor Etolle