NCRPO chief sees Twitter, Facebook as force multipliers

MANILA, Philippines - National Capital Region Police Officer (NCRPO) director Chief Superintendent Marcelo Garbo on Wednesday said that all police stations in Metro Manila should maintain social media accounts to provide the public more avenues to report crime.

Garbo mentioned the proposal during the conference hosted by the Mandaluyong City Police Office on street patrolling.

He said that considering the limited resources of the police, Twitter and Facebook could serve as force multipliers.

"You must learn how to work with your limited resources and make use of force multipliers," Garbo told officials of the Mandaluyong, Manila and Caloocan police.

"We have to consider crime reporting through social media," he added.

The conference focused on how the NCRPO could boost its street beat patrol capalbilities on three areas in Metro Manila: University Belt Area (Manila), Kalentong Street (Mandaluyong) and Monumento (Caloocan City).

Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos, meanwhile, pledged the city's full support behind the NCRPO's anti-crime drive.

Abalos noted that as the Philippine National Police and the NCRPO are saddled by minimal resources, the Mandaluyong City government will be willing to shoulder the gasoline and office supply needs of the police.

"Problema talaga ay kakulangan. Kulang sa pondo at tao at mas nauuna ang sisi," he said.

"Ilista natin ang kulang n'yo. kung ano ang kayang abonohan ng city government like gasolina o school supplies. sagotn na namin. tulungan tayo," Abalos added.

Abalos also offered the NCRPO the use of the city's closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs) especially those along EDSA.

"Meron kaming CCTV sa Mandaluyong. Ibibigay namin sa NCRPO ang CCTV, share namin lalo na sa EDSA," he said.

In addition, Abalos also offered to raise funds for the legal assistance of police officers facing harassment cases filed by those they have arrested.

"Mag-raise rin ang Mandaluyong City government para sa legal assstance ng pulis. This will be a big boost for them," he said.