Roxas orders deployment of more cops in Metro’s ‘problem areas’

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II ordered the deployment of additional police forces in eight “problem areas” in Metro Manila with high crime rates.

Roxas in a statement directed National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Police Director General Carmelo Valmoria to order district directors to analyze their data based on the Geographical Information System (GIS) and determine which areas needed additional personnel.

The GIS focuses on mapping incidents and identifying “hotspots” where most crimes happen.

Roxas said an additional 1,300 police may be divided among the eight “problem areas” in Metro Manila, which include Masambong area in Quezon City, Sampaloc in Manila, Pasig City and Mandaluyong City.

“The deployment must be made on a rotational basis, such that the deployed personnel will also be deployed in other problematic areas to avoid fraternization,” he said.

According to him, the deployment of additional police force has had a substantial impact in areas like Pasay, Parañaque, Valenzuela and Manila.

Roxas said the move of the DILG was to beef up the anti-criminality campaign of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Recently, Roxas ordered the relief of four of Metro Manila’s five district directors from their posts due to their alleged failure to curb high criminal incidence in their respective areas.

Also, the Department of Interior and Local Government has earlier ordered the hiring of additional non-uniformed personnel (NUPs) to handle administrative work so that all police would be assigned in the field.

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