PNP intensifies drive vs criminals on motorcycles, other thugs

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police is stepping up its street operations, particularly beat and mobile patrols in crime-prone alleys and intersections, in response to the rising number of cases involving malefactors on motorcycles.

PNP Director General Nicanor A. Bartolome ordered all regional directors to intensify the “Police Integrated Patrol System,” or the deployment of patrols according to the so-called “crime clock,” which specifies what time of day or night criminals are most active.

Checkpoint operations will also be intensified to restrict the movement of criminals carrying weapons,  Bartolome said in a statement.

The “Motorized Anti-Street Crime Operatives” shall also be deployed in places of convergence such as shopping centers, school districts, churches and busy streets. Security detail in bus stations, mass rail transit and even airports and seaports will be doubled.

“The PNP will step up its security and public safety measures in order to protect the citizens for them to be able to enjoy the coming holidays,” Bartolome said.

He ordered police commanders to address the incidence of crimes committed by men riding tandem on motorcycles and to quickly submit reports on their investigations into such incidents.

Bartolome said the officials’ performances in carrying out his orders would play a part in the evaluation of their positions in the police hierarchy.

In a related development, Interior Secretary Jesse M. Robredo, who has supervisory powers over the PNP, acknowledged reports that crimes committed by motorcycle-riding felons appeared to be on the rise.

“Give us a week. We are already doing something about this,” he told reporters on Friday.

Robredo said he believed the problem of felons on motorcycles could be solved by putting more police officers on motorcycles as well, thus increasing their ability to chase the criminals.