Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on Wednesday directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to step up security and peacekeeping efforts to effectively deter crimes with the onset of the Christmas season.
In a command conference held at the PNP Headquarters, Ochoa, who also heads the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), said the administration is concerned with the reported frequency of crime incidence and urged police officials to exert effort that is over-and-above their routine operations to curb criminality nationwide.
“We should not just accept the usual notion that every Christmas season, crime incidence is expected to go up. That should not be the case. If we already know that crime will rise during this time of the year then let us do something new, something out of the box, to prevent this,” Ochoa stressed in the meeting.
The Executive Secretary said the PNP must increase police presence and conduct high-visibility patrols around the country to fight crimes.
Ochoa said crimes could be prevented if more law enforcers are visible on the street and even encouraged police generals to “go out and be in the field” to have a better assessment of the situation on the ground.
He underscored the importance of actual physical presence of police officers in the community, submission of periodical reports on the peace and order situation, as well as thorough and intelligent assessment of reports from the field in putting together a well-crafted and coordinated security plan.
“A real, actual and significant movement of the police force is an effective tool for us to make sure that crime is prevented,” Ochoa said. “We cannot afford to be lax.”
Ochoa reminded the PNP leadership of its primary role in ensuring the full implementation of government programs and operations in addressing criminality and maintaining peace and order in the country. The PAOCC’s function, on the other hand, is to provide guidance and policy directions to the police force when needed, according to Ochoa.
Ochoa then assured the PNP that the administration is completely behind the police force to help them carry out its mission to serve and protect the public.
“The President fully supports the PNP and we are committed to provide you the resources necessary for you to do your job,” Ochoa said. ###
Reference: Katherine G. Adraneda / Tel. No. 733-7472
