GMA launches anti-crime hotline

Citizens can now call "117" from any part of Metro Manila for quick police and firemen’s response.

President Arroyo launched yesterday the special anti-crime telephone hotline as she ordered the deployment of 1,000 more policemen in Metro Manila’s streets.

"Patrol 117, as expanded, will allow better reporting of crime," the President said. "That way more crimes will be reported rather than crimes being left unreported so that we can address them. We do not have to debate about statistics. The facts are already there. We must find a better way to nip crime in the bud."

Speaking at the formal signing of a memorandum of agreement between the Department of the Interior and Local Government–Philippine National Police and participating agencies, Mrs. Arroyo said the coverage of "117 Patrol Program" has been widened to include calls for help in cases of natural calamities and other emergencies.

"This should translate into timely rescue of many more lives and the saving of more property," she said. "It is indeed time that we must tap all our citizens in our drive against crime. Not necessarily as law enforcement assets but as law-abiding citizens to support our goals for peace and sustainable growth."

The participating agencies include the departments of Justice, Transportation and Communications, and Social Welfare and Development; Metro Manila Development Authority, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., Manila Electric Co., Liga ng mga Barangay, Maynilad Water Inc., and Manila Water Co.

Mrs. Arroyo said more telephone booths will be installed in strategic points throughout Metro Manila to allow citizens to call "117" from different cities and towns. "Preventing crime and cooperating with the authorities to solve crime is responsible citizenship," she said. "This you can do by making our people aware that as citizens and stakeholders, they should not only await the results of various government programs but also be active participants in many of these programs." – Marichu Villanueva