MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) You better watch out, you better not cry, Santa cops are coming to town.
Policemen wearing red Santa bonnets will greet motorists and pedestrians in Metro Manila as the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) launched Tuesday its yearly “Santa Cop” program, NCRPO chief Director Leopoldo Bataoil said.
But don’t let the bright red and fluffy hats fool you. These policemen are all set to enforce peace and security among establishments across Metro Manila in time for the Christmas season and holiday rush.
Bataoil said they would initially be deploying 217 policemen across Metro Manila. They would also be seen on streets and establishments across the region “to complement anti-criminality measures, target hardening, and perform public safety services in commercial establishments and other places of convergence.”
At the same time, NCRPO will also be deploying policemen clad in a Santa Claus costume, complete with the big belly, red hat, and white beard. But these would-be Santas will not be allowed to carry guns.
“Ang advice naming [Our advice], while they patrol, preferably walang sidearms [no sidearms] so they will be friendlier to the people around,” Bataoil said.
Police Officer 3 Lorenzo Cambri of the Mandaluyong police said he would be carrying a big sack of treats to give away to children. Cambri will be deployed at the SM Megamall, he said.
“Let there be no instance na masaktan niyo ang damdamin ng taong bayan [that you will hurt the feelings of people]. Let there be no instance na maabuso natin ang taumbayan [we will abuse the people]. Let there be no instance na sila’y mabiktima ng karahasan [that they will be victims of violence], na sila ay mabiktima ng kriminalidad [that they will be victims of crime]. At yun ang ating aasahan sa inyo [And that is what we will expect from each and everyone of you],” Bataoil told police officers at the SM Mall of Asia Tuesday.
Bataoil added that incidents rampant during the Christmas and New Year included pick-pocketing and cellular phone snatching.
He also warned the “Santa Cops” against soliciting from pedestrians or motorists.
“Pwede silang bumati [They can greet]. Hindi sila pwedeng mamasko [They can’t solicit for Christmas],” Bataoil said.
In Metro Manila, Santa cops could be found in crime-prone areas like Divisoria and Quiapo in Manila, Baclaran in Parańaque, Araneta Center in Quezon City, and Monumento in Caloocan City, Bataoil said.
Bataoil attributed a drop of 14 percent in crime incidents in 2007 to the “Santa Cops” program.
This year, the program will be until January 2, he said.
