PNP to deploy more cops as ‘ber’ months start

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police will deploy additional personnel in shopping malls and other public places, specifically in crime-prone areas, amid the expected rise in crimes during the “ber” months, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin announced yesterday.

“As always, we anticipate the increase in crime incidents during the ‘ber’ months. That’s why the directive to our police force, not only here in the National Capital Region, is to have more presence,” Azurin told reporters during a briefing at Malacañang.

He said the PNP would deploy its mobile forces and members of the elite Special Action Force.

Azurin said he instructed district directors to coordinate with barangay officials to determine the areas where police presence would be heightened.

“It is necessary for the police to be all over, especially in crime-prone areas,” he said.

Azurin also reported a drop in index crimes during the first 56 days of the Marcos administration.

The PNP said crimes such as theft, physical injury, robbery, murder, car theft, rape and homicide decreased to 29,630 from July 1 to Aug. 25 from 35,237 during the same period last year.

6,500 fugitives hunted

Meanwhile, over 6,500 fugitives are being hunted down by the National Capital Region Police Office after courts issued nearly 7,000 arrest warrants in line with the NCRPO’s intensified campaign against crimes.

Acting NCRPO chief Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo said 1,501 tracker teams hatched operations against wanted persons in Metro Manila on Tuesday.

As of yesterday, police have arrested 388 fugitives while 6,511 remain at large.

The targets of the operations are suspects involved in illegal drugs, arms dealing, terrorism, heinous crimes and other offenses.

The campaign is a component of the NCRPO’s “SAFE” program, which entails an anti-crime drive around the clock in Metro Manila.

In Quezon City, 70 fugitives were arrested by the local police in the past two days. – Neil Jayson Servallos, Emmanuel Tupas