The Manila Police District starts the training of 80 policemen in Paco for its new Bike Patrol Unit. INQUIRER.net photo / Consuelo Marquez
MANILA, Philippines — The Manila Police District (MPD) started on Thursday its training of 80 policemen for its Bike Patrol Unit formed to strengthen crime prevention measures.
According to Police Col. Rex Arvin Malimban, MPD-District Mobile Force Battalion commander, the bike patrollers will be helpful in pursuing suspects in congested areas such as alleys.
“Ito ay initiative and project ng [MPD] director si Vicente Danao Jr. Ginawa ni sir yung program sa Davao using bikes na ginagamit ng mga patrollers natin considering na nasa Manila traffic, [may] alleys na maliliit so nakita ni sir na very ideal ito sa Manila rin na magkaroon tayo ng bike patrollers,” Malimban told INQUIRER.net during the sidelines of the Bike Patrol training in Paco, Manila.
Malimban explained that bicycles allow better interaction between civilians and lawmen compared with cars and motorcycles.
“Ang isang effectiveness niya dahil mas mabagal siya, mas makakapag-interact sila sa mga tao kung baga ‘pag ang tao kailangan ng pulis mas madaling matatawag,” Malimban said.
Malimban said MPD rolled out 100 bicycles for 100 personnel but initially 80 police officers will undertake the five-day training.
Malimban noted that an instructor from the Philippine National Police main headquarters in Camp Crame will train the MPD bike patrollers.
The police’s bicycle exercises include obstacle courses, shooting techniques, first aid and human-rights policies. /jpv