New NCRPO chief eyes 24/7 texting service

MANILA, Philippines – Seeking to build stronger police-community ties, the newly installed director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) yesterday promised to institute a 24-hour text messaging service that will form part of a public action center and complaints desk.

In a speech following his assumption of the top police post in Metro Manila, Chief Supt. Alan Purisima said he would adopt the communications mechanism of the Central Luzon police office, which he used to head, to bring the police closer to the people.

“This is a tried and tested system … which will not only improve further our crime monitoring and response time but also help forge closer ties between [the police] and the people,” he said.

Purisima assumed the NCRPO post after Director Nicanor Bartolome was appointed to the fourth highest position in the hierarchy of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In his speech at the turnover ceremony, Bartolome cited various statistics to show that crimes in Metro Manila went down by 30 percent during his six-month tenure.

He attributed the decline to the intensified patrols conducted by policemen in their areas and the public’s cooperation.

At the same time, Bartolome also recalled the NCRPO’s vigorous drive against the proliferation of illegal drugs, resulting in the seizure of 670 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu with a street value of P1.5 billion.

For his part, Purisima expressed his desire to upgrade every policeman’s investigative skills and maximize “the use of every forensic tool available in our arsenal.”

“We will be on [the] offensive and will be running after all wanted criminals preying on our citizens,” he said.

The turnover ceremony was attended by key personalities, including former PNP chiefs Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., now Zambales governor; and Avelino Razon Jr.