The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is doubling its efforts to lower the crime rate and the number of fireworks-related injuries in the days leading up to the start of the New Year by intensifying its 24-hour checkpoints across the metropolis.
Chief Supt. Carmelo Valmoria, head of the 18,000-strong Metro Manila police, said random checkpoints were set up even before the holiday season started. The security checks were intensified, however, just days before the New Year’s Eve celebration.
“We have pulled out some personnel from the Regional Public Safety Battalion to augment the number of people manning our checkpoints,” Valmoria said in a phone interview.
The NCRPO chief added that the days leading to New Year’s Eve were critical since a lot of people would be milling about on the streets to take part in the celebration.
“This is still part of the Police Integrated Patrol System but we want to make sure that the New Year revelry in Metro Manila is safe for everyone,” he said.
At least 2,000 police officers have been deployed to key areas in the metropolis to thwart crimes and any untoward incidents.
Valmoria noted that the checkpoints set up in each city in Metro Manila were mobile.
The NCRPO chief said he had instructed the police units manning the checkpoints to stick to protocol.
“They are instructed to always be courteous and respectful of the motorists and to ask nicely if they want to check the compartments of cars or motorcycles,” Valmoria added.
Valmoria said that all police personnel manning checkpoints should be in proper uniform.
If the police officers see items such as illegal firecrackers in plain sight within the vehicle, then they have all the right to confiscate them, the NCRPO chief warned.