PNP orders 24/7 cop visibility in Metro in wake of traders’ slays in QC

MANILA, Philippines—Philippine National Police Director General Raul M. Bacalzo on Friday ordered ubiquitous police presence in the streets of Metro Manila following the killing of two businessmen in separate incidents in Quezon City last weekend.

He reminded the National Capital Region Police Office to ensure that “policemen will be visible in the streets 24/7,” and to enhance the Police Integrated Patrol System (PIPS) involving mobile and foot patrols and checkpoints.

“We should ensure the strict implementation of the PIPS and institute maximum visibility through the conduct of static checkpoints and police operations,” Bacalzo said in a statement.

The PNP chief gave the orders following the back-to-back killings of Chinese national Shao Huai Huang and Simon Pangan on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Bacalzo noted common denominators in the unrelated incidents: the two victims were businessmen and the assailants were motorcycle-riding criminals.

QC police on Monday declared the killings were unrelated, saying that while Shao’s case was an ambush, Pangan’s was a setup perpetrated by someone with a personal grudge.

He also ordered NCRPO Director Alan Purisima to intensify the campaign against “riding-in-tandem” criminals.

Bacalzo ordered all police units to conduct police visibility, mobile and foot patrol including the motorized anti-street crime operatives (MASCO) and Oplan SITA / BAKAL checkpoints in major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.

In turn, Purisima directed the Quezon City Police District to implement stiffer security measures in the city following the two incidents involving motorcycle-riding suspects wearing dark jackets.

The QC police said they are conducting “a deep and thorough investigation” to identify and arrest the suspects.