New cops to join renewed drive vs street, organized crime

This year’s graduates from the Philippine National Police Academy will be joining the PNP’s renewed fight against street crime and organized crime groups.

Newly appointed police inspectors of the PNPA “Lakandula” Class of 2015 underwent a seminar to orient them on the Oplan Lambat Sibat, a data-driven anti-crime program in place since 2014.

The 225 new police officials trained for three days on standard operating procedures of the Oplan Lambat Sibat, conducted by the Directorate for Operations’ law enforcement division last week.

Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, the PNP spokesperson, said the anti-crime campaign has become the PNP’s thrust to reduce crime and the public’s fear of crime.

“This started in Metro Manila and aims to improve public safety in the country. This is a major initiative under the Process Excellence Perspective of the PNP P.A.T.R.O.L. Plan 2030 Roadmap,” Mayor said.

The new PNPA graduates attended lectures on the principles and the prescribed guidelines and procedures to be strictly followed by all units in managing police operations.

Topics included Patrol 101, Lambat-Sibat Framework Overview, Setting Objectives, Investigative and Intelligence Procedures, Development of Effective Strategies and Tactics, Valenzuela CPS Best Practices and Development of Information Operations.

The instructors were Chief Supt. Eric Reyes, Chief Supt. Ericson Velasquez, Chief Supt. Rolando Felix, Chief Supt. Efren Perez, Senior Supt. Cesar Hawthorne Binag, Senior Supt. Benigno Durana, Jr., Senior Supt. Rhoderick Armamento, Jr., Supt. Nicolas Salvador, and Supt. Marlon Sapla.

The Oplan Lambat Sibat has been implemented by the PNP since June 2014 in Metro Manila and has decreased crime statistics per week by almost 60 percent, the PNP said.

The PNP deploys its personnel based on crime statistics in hot spots and the time of day when most crimes happen. Oplan Lambat Sibat also involves intensified intelligence operations against organized crime groups.

Due to  its success in Metro Manila, the PNP began implementing the program in other regions as well, such as Central Luzon and the Calabarzon area.

“It defines the core business of policing and aims to develop the competency of every police manager in managing police operations. It centers its strategy to the whole-of-PNP approach that requires cooperation and support from all members,” Mayor said.

The 225 new police inspectors from the PNPA were also designated as “Lambat Sibat champions” to cement their commitment to fight crime and uphold the law.