MPD marshals check buses, trains

MANILA, Philippines - The Manila Police District (MPD) has deployed police marshals to inspect and ride in public buses and trains of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT).

MPD director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla said the move is to comply with a directive of Philippine National Police chief Director General Raul Bacalzo to thwart terrorism and crime across the country.

Rongavilla said some 70 uniformed policemen, backed up by plainclothes police secret marshals, will inspect bus terminals and LRT and MRT stations in Manila.

Superintendent Nelson Yabut, chief of the MPD’s District Public Safety Battalion, called on other police districts in Metro Manila to also deploy police marshals.

“My men will disembark when the vehicles they are riding in reach the territory of other police districts. I encourage other police districts to take over the watch when such buses are already in their areas of jurisdiction,” he said.