QUEZON CITY, Sept. 7 — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday alerted the public to be vigilant against robbers and shoplifters with the onset of “-ber” months.
According to PNP Chief Police Director General Ricardo C. Marquez, crime can happen to anyone at the most unexpected time, and to combat crime the public must be kept informed of the various modus operandi of criminals.
These criminals are known to be part of Salisi Gang, Laglag barya Gang, Besfren Gang, Tutok-Kalawit Gang, Ipit/Ipit-Taxi Gang, Laslas Bag/Bulsa, Estribo Gang, Dura Boys, Pitas Gang and other groups with same strategy using other modes of criminal operation.
During the regular Lambat Sibat meeting in Camp Crame on Wednesday, the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) noted a significant decrease in Robbery and Theft for the past week. From an average of 794 cases per week on June 2014 to January 2015, Robbery and Theft continuously dipped to 273 recorded incidents last week, August 24-30.
In line with the Lambat-Sibat campaign initiated by DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, the qualitative analysis (from August 24 to 30 2015) conducted by the DIDM has recorded that 20% of theft cases is due to shoplifting.
DIDM also noted that 27% of recorded robbery incidents occurred from 12:01 AM to 4:00 AM.
Furthermore, the DIDM identified streets (31%), residential areas (26%) and PUVs (21%) as the most places where robbery incidents exist.
Earlier this month, NCRPO Director Police Chief Superintendent Joel Pagdilao, started to deploy 70% of its 19,000-strong police personnel to strengthen security operations in the ground.
“While the PNP is fielding additional foot and mobile patrolers, the public must also be wary to what is really happening in their communities and in the streets” the Chief PNP said as he urged the public to work with the police on its anti-criminality initiatives.
Even if the cases of robbery and theft in Metro Manila are on its downtrend, PDG Marquez wants the public to be more observant and alert at all times.
The PNP’s Oplan Lambat-Sibat, regularly audit crime incident reports at the police station level and use its data to further generate and identify “crime hot spots” and “crime patterns” where and when intensified police interventions are necessary.
These interventions include strategically-placed checkpoints, foot &mobile patrols, focused and intelligence-driven operations against most wanted persons and member of criminal gangs. (PNP-PIO)
