Police patrols credited for low crime rate

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) recorded low crime incidence in Metro Manila and other parts of the country in the run-up to Christmas.

Deputy Director General Felipe Rojas Jr. credited the Police Integrated Patrolling System (PIPS) for the low rate of petty crimes in the country.

A brainchild of PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima, PIPS calls for an intensified patrol of malls, commercial centers, shopping establishments and places of convergence.

Rojas, however, did not cite figures but expressed confidence that the reports his office received are the exact figures since police officers would be relieved if found underreporting crimes.

Despite the low number of petty crimes in Metro Manila and other parts of the country, Rojas tasked police commanders not to be overconfident as Christmas Day approaches.

“We should be on our toes always as Christmas is just a few days away. We should be in the vicinity of malls, shopping centers, tiangges and areas of convergence to prevent petty criminals from victimizing the public, especially holiday shoppers,” Rojas said.

He stressed the PNP declared a no Christmas and New Year break “for our policemen to protect the public against all forms of criminality.”

“There will be no rest for us even during the holidays so the public would be protected fully against all forms of threats,” he said.

In previous years, an upsurge of petty crimes was noted during the Christmas season.

In Metro Manila, Rojas said Chief Superintendent Marcelo Garbo Jr. is doing fine in his job against criminality by ordering his five district directors to conduct intensified patrols of commercial centers and other public places.

The PNP remained on normal alert yesterday but Rojas said the alert level could be increased a few days before Christmas Day.