UP Diliman asks QCPD for patrol car

MANILA, Philippines - The University of the Philippines (UP), after agreeing to closely coordinate with local police on security arrangements for its Diliman, Quezon City campus, is now asking the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) for a police car.

UP Diliman chancellor Caesar Saloma made the request in a recent letter to QCPD director Senior Superintendent Richard Albano.

“The Office of the Chancellor requests your office to assign a police car (red plate) for official use by the UP Diliman Police (UPDP) to patrol the academic core,” Saloma said in the letter to Albano dated Feb. 28.

The patrol car “will markedly improve the operational capability of the UPDP to secure the safety and welfare (of the) faculty, students, staff and the general public. UP Diliman will shoulder the cost of operating and maintaining the said vehicle,” Saloma said.

Calls had been made in the past for the state university to soften its stance banning uniformed personnel in the 493-hectare Diliman campus following the incidence of violent crimes in the area.

The QCPD recently donated 10 bicycles for UP Diliman’s civilian police force to use to patrol the campus.

Before the yearly UP Fair last month, campus officials also asked the QCPD to survey the area where the week-long gathering was held.