Police stations ‘on wheels’ launched
By Abigail Kwok
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 15:55:00 10/06/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- If you see a 40 foot container van with the words “Philippine National Police” printed on its sides, don't be afraid. It's the PNP's new “mobile investigation van” that hopes to bring police closer to the people, said Director General Jesus Verzosa on Monday.
Verzosa led the launching of the first PNP “mobile investigation van,” a 40 foot container van that will house everything one can find inside a typical police station: a complaints desk, a prison cell, a bathroom, and a small conference room where police officers can hold small command conferences.
The PNP “mobile investigation van” costs around P1.5 million, said contractor Ed Francisco. It has a built-in “bunk house” where a maximum of two police officers can take a quick nap; air-conditioning units; and a water tank that can hold up to 1,000 liters of water, Francisco added.
The van will serve as a mobile police station where complainants can go to for easier access to the police.
Each van will house the police investigation team, which is usually made up of five police officers, Verzosa said.
He added that the van would help speed up police investigations, specifically of heinous crimes.
“Especially in remote areas na wala tayong matulugan, wala tayong computers para sa ating investigation team [we have nowhere to sleep, we have no computers for our investigation team], this would be good,” Verzosa also said.
The PNP initially launched one mobile investigation van, but Verzosa said two more were being built to be deployed in other regions.
“It will also help in the peacekeeping operations in different areas, especially in remote areas,” he added.
Meanwhile, Verzosa called on lawmakers to provide funding for this program of the PNP.
“I think we can convince our lawmakers to apportion some of our sources to help in putting up these vans in their respective localities,” he added.
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