QCPD station chiefs told: Step up or leave post

MANILA, Philippines - With a directive from higher officials to reduce crimes in the city, the newly appointed director of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) dared his 12 station commanders to step up or relinquish their posts.

During his first command conference after assuming his post on Oct. 10, QCPD director Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao asked his station commanders who among them were no longer happy with their assignments.

“I asked them who wanted to leave. Because if they cannot cope with the demands (of their job) and what’s expected of them, they should just give up their posts,” Pagdilao said in an interview.

The 12 police stations cover the areas of La Loma, Masambong, Talipapa, Novaliches, Fairview, Batasan, Cubao, Project 4, Anonas, Kamuning, Galas and Eastwood.

According to Pagdilao, he dared the station commanders to step up and intensify crime prevention in their areas of jurisdiction.

Pagdilao said apart from the usual patrol operations, he also wanted the community more engaged in the fight against crime. He said with the limited manpower of the police, the community’s cooperation would greatly help police officers in maintaining peace and order.

Pagdilao said he ordered a weekly monitoring of crimes in the city to study his station commanders’ progress.

He also said that while focusing on big hauls was also important, the city’s police force should also pay attention to street crimes.