Abalos on recent spate of crimes: DILG to increase police visibility

Benhur Abalos/Facebook Page

MANILA, Philippines — The public may expect more police visibility amid the recent spate of crimes, including disappearances and killings in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, Department of the Interior and the Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos said Wednesday.

Abalos said he had asked Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. to submit a report regarding the recently reported crimes.

The interior secretary said it is important for the police force and local government units to ensure community peace and order.

“Importante dito lahat ng kapulisan nasa labas ng kalye. Nung araw, nung bata pa ako, yung mga patrolman e nakikita mo nasa kalye, so siguro hindi lang ‘yun. Mamayang hapon kakausapin ko ang barangay captains… magtutulungan tayo dito,” Abalos said in a press briefing.

(What’s important is for the police to hit the streets. Before when I was a kid, you would see these patrolmen on the street, and also, that’s not the only one. Later in the afternoon, I’ll talk to barangay chairmen… let’s help each other on this.)

“Ang mga pulis, ang mga barangay, lahat ito, huwag kayong mag-alala dito. As I mentioned, we will give you the real numbers here, papapuntahin ko and expect more police visibility,” he added.

(Police and barangay, do not worry about all of this. As I mentioned, we will give you the real numbers here. I will send someone and expect more police visibility.)

However, Abalos stressed that it is important to first get the “real numbers” regarding the matter.

“Yung sinasabi ninyo about these crimes na nangyayari ngayon, ang importante talaga is we get the real figures. Mahirap kasi yung may lumalabas-labas na kwento na hindi natin nave-verify,” Abalos said.

(About these crimes, you say it is important to get the real figures. It is hard to rely on hearsay.)

“Don’t you worry, I’ll be presenting next week, in the next coming days ang chief mismo ang PNP to give you the real numbers if that’s really happening here,” he added.

In recent weeks, there have been calls for the PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate the increasing series of disappearances, especially of women and youths.

Among the latest incidents is a 15-year-old female biker from San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan who was found dead in Bustos town after being reported missing since August 9.

READ: Imee Marcos calls on PNP, DILG to probe disappearances

JPV/abc