MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) The new chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) vowed to bring down the incidence of street and other crimes in Metro Manila.

NCRPO Director Jefferson Soriano said on Monday he has instructed the 15,000-strong metropolitan police force to bring down crime rates in Metro Manila by as much as 20% in one year.

His orders were a response to the call of his predecessor, Director Geary Barias, to continue anti-crime projects he initiated across Metro Manila. Barias is now chief of Directorial Services.

“We would like [Soriano] to duplicate the discipline zones in other parts of Metro Manila,” Barias said.

Soriano ordered the NCRPO to “give special attention” to cases bank robberies and car thefts and hijacking, citing police data that, while payroll and armored van robbery had decline, those targeting individual withdrawals increased by as much as 85%.

At turnover ceremonies at NCRPO headquarters at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig, Barias urged Soriano to maintain the “Discipline Zone” project he said has contributed “a great deal” to reduce street crimes.

In an interview, Barias cited a 30 percent reduction in the number of street crimes under his watch, which he attributed to the establishment of discipline zones across Metro Manila.

“We would like [Soriano] to duplicate the discipline zones in other parts of Metro Manila,” Barias said.

To date, there are 14 discipline zones across the metropolis, including Commonwealth Avenue and Aurora Boulevard in Quezon City, and Divisoria in Manila.

Soriano has vowed to continue and expand these discipline zones as part of his campaign to lower crime across the metro.

This year, the NCRPO reported 561 car robberies, mostly in Quezon City.

Soriano said he would personally join Quezon City Police District chief Senior Superintendent Magtanggol Gatdula “in our fight against carnappers in these areas.”

“We will keep the road running, we will reduce the crime incidents in [the National Capital Region],” he added.

Soriano ordered the establishment of more checkpoints across Metro Manila. He also vowed to beef up what he called “Manila Shield,” a group composed of soldiers, police, and local government officials monitoring security across NCR.

“Let us protect Metro Manila and raise higher 'Manila Shield' any terror attack. Let us increase our check points and be very vigilant in our work as we are also courteous in dealing with civilians,” he said.