PNP to launch Twitter account to address public complaints

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) is set to launch its official Twitter account to monitor the complaints of ordinary citizens and allow police authorities to address them.

PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima said through Twitter, ordinary citizens could send their complaints so the PNP could take action and use the information in policymaking to improve police service.

“For our kababayans, I have already tasked the DPCR (Directorate for Police Community Relations) to find ways, like upgrading a Twitter account so we can account for crime incidents,” said Purisima as he reported PNP accomplishments during the first six months of the year.

The PNP chief said the Twitter account was the PNP’s way of reaching out to the public and encourage them to report petty crimes without hassle and extra expenses on their part.

Purisima noted that they have identified five crime prone areas in Metro Manila: the Cubao-EDSA area, Bonifacio Monumento in Caloocan, Baclaran in Parañaque, University Belt in Manila, and EDSA-Taft Avenue in Pasay City.

Purisima recalled the result of a survey where 70 percent of petty crime victims opted not to report to the police to prevent further cost and hassle.

“We hope the public would report to us to allow the police to come up with measures to prevent criminals from preying on innocent individuals,” he added.

He noted that the PNP has a no letup campaign against organized crime groups, wanted persons and loose firearms.

During the first semester of 2013, the PNP mounted intensified security operations throughout the 150-day election period for the recently concluded 2013 midterm polls.

Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac of the PNP Public Information Office said 16,661 persons wanted by the law were arrested in police operations, including 10 suspects killed during police raids.