Makati police train tourist area guards as back-up force
El Chupacabra, one of the more visited bars in Burgos-Makati Avenue-Kalayaan Triangle area. POCHOLO CONCEPCION/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—The Makati police has beefed up its peace and security program at the Burgos-Makati Avenue-Kalayaan Triangle, a popular night-time entertainment spot in Makati as it started training security guards of every establishment to be part of its backup force.
Senior Supt. Manuel Lukban, the city police chief, said over 20 additional policemen have been deployed to patrol the area and additional outposts have been set up to increase police visibility and deter criminal elements from preying on tourists and visitors.
The police have also enlisted the support of 60 private security guards and civilian volunteers from the Bantay Bayan of Poblacion in Makati where most bars and restaurants are located. These security guards have been oriented on how they can be effective ‘force multipliers,’ Lukban said.
“We have strengthened our collaboration with the barangay and with security personnel of private establishments in the area to more effectively deter criminal elements from carrying out unlawful acts and endangering public safety,” Lukban said.
Lukban said the Makati Tourist Welfare, Assistance, Security and Protection (WASP) Unit composed of police officers and police multipliers were formed to strengthen security in the area.
The police noted an increase in the number of tourists flocking to the area. On the average, 100 to 300 night-time tourists go there on regular days, and around 500 on weekends and special event days.
According to Lukban, the WASP Unit is envisioned to “become a tourism-oriented, multi-stakeholder and agency peacekeeping strike force.”
It covers the Burgos-Makati Avenue-Kalayaan Triangle and Polaris Street, where there are more than 160 establishments, including restaurants, fast-food chains, money changers, among others.
Under the WASP program, the police will train at least one security guard per hotel or business establishment, who will eventually be deputized.
Earlier, the Lukban said the police assistance desks were set up in malls at the Central Business District, where 40 personnel were deployed to man them and do patrol.
Early this year, the city government announced its plan to install 200 more CCTV cameras in the CBD and the Burgos-Makati Avenue-Kalayaan Triangle to augment the 115 CCTV cameras currently in place.
RELATED STORIES
Cops rescue 50 sex workers from nightclub in Makati
