Roxas: Metro weekly crime rate down due to ‘Oplan Lambat-Sibat’

If Interior Secretary Mar Roxas is to be believed, Metro Manila is safer now compared to last year.

In a speech during the National Capital Region Police Office’s (NCRPO) celebration of the Philippine National Police’s 24th foundation anniversary Monday, Roxas attributed the situation to “Oplan Lambat-Sibat” which, over the past months, has significantly reduced the over 1,000 cases of theft, robbery and vehicle theft recorded every week.

He noted that following the implementation of the anticrime campaign in the past six to seven months, the number of criminal incidents has steadily declined.

Just last week, the NCRPO recorded 436 cases of theft, robbery and car and motorcycle thefts, Roxas said.

The previous week, it was 522 and the week before that, 577.

“It has already been four weeks and the figure has been steady, [around] the 500-mark,” Roxas said, noting that while there were some “problematic] police stations, the trend was reflected “across the board.”

Out of the 440 most wanted crime suspects in Metro Manila, more than 140 have “already” been arrested, he added.

“…I can say that overall, it is now safer to live in the National Capital Region than last year,” Roxas said as he encouraged the NCRPO to continue performing well.

He said that through its exemplary performance, the

NCRPO was also honoring the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos who were killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province, during a mission to catch international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Filipino bomber Basit Usman.

Marwan was killed during the SAF operation although Usman managed to escape.

“We honor them every day by likewise doing our work—professionally, competently, responsibly. To serve and to protect. The mandate of the entire police force is simple: To serve and to protect…,” he said.

“Thank you, thank you for the good job you are doing for our people,” Roxas told the NCRPO policemen.

During the ceremonies which began shortly after

8 a.m. at the NCRPO headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, several outstanding NCRPO personnel were also recognized.

These included NCRPO chief Director Carmelo Valmoria; Chief Supt. Allen Bantolo, deputy regional director for operations; and Chief Supt. Ramon Apolinario, regional chief directorial staff, among others.