PNP chief orders 85 percent of police personnel nationwide to go on patrols

Police officers march at the Philippine National Police grounds in Camp Crame in Quezon City. —Inquirer file photo/Niño Jesus Orbeta

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has ordered all police stations nationwide to conduct more patrols to boost their visibility and ensure a rapid response to calls for help.

Based on his directive, 85 percent of all police personnel should be actively involved in field duties, significantly reducing the number of those assigned to desk work.

“This increased deployment of PNP personnel for patrolling is crucial in safeguarding community well-being. We are committed to making our communities safer by ensuring a strong police presence in public spaces. This initiative is designed to not only prevent crime but also to build trust and rapport with the communities we serve,” Marbil said in a statement on Wednesday.

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He added that the field duties would involve patrols on foot—where officers engage directly with the community in urban centers, residential areas, and other high-traffic locations—and on motorcycles, in which motorcycle units would patrol key areas to ensure quick mobility and response to incidents and emergencies.

Maintain professionalism

The PNP chief’s order also included the intensified conduct of “Oplan Galugad” and “Oplan Sita” operations. The first focuses on thorough searches and inspections in designated areas, particularly those known for high crime rates, to disrupt and dismantle criminal activities. Oplan Sita, on the other hand, involves checkpoints and routine stops to check for legal compliance and prevent the movement of illegal items.

Marbil called on all police personnel to uphold the highest professionalism and community engagement standards during these operations.

“Our goal is to protect and serve the public with integrity and dedication. We must work hand in hand with our communities to create an environment where everyone feels safe and secure,” he said.

During a PNP command conference early this month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the police to further reduce the number of index crimes in the country despite its decrease.

According to the PNP, the number of such crimes declined by 8.264 percent, from 204,557 between July 2022 and May 2023 to 187,652 from July 2023 to May 31 this year.

Focus crimes, or index crimes, cover theft, physical injury, rape, robbery, murder, homicide, motorcycle and vehicle theft, while non-index crimes are violations of local ordinances and laws and vehicular accidents.