This in a nutshell was how Western Police District (WPD) director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong described the current image of the country’s premier police force as he marked his first year in office last July 29.
Upon assuming the WPD leadership last year, Bulaong launched the "PIT" campaign that is not only patterned after the "O.N.E. PNP" policy of Philippine National Police chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. but is a more viable approach to the task of securing the country’s capital city.
PIT stands for Patrol, Investigation and Traffic control and management.
Under PIT, Bulaong strengthened patrol operations to bring back police presence in the streets.
"Bantay Lansangan" was intensified in vital government installations, the Pandacan oil depot, commercial districts, tourist and university belts manned by foot and bike patrols. The number of police cars prowling the city streets was increased by 50, while the motorcycle patrol unit was beefed up.
The police investigation system was improved to ensure the certainty of arrest of lawless elements, which saw the strengthening of the Detective Patrol Group. The number of sekretas were increased to further build upon the Manila police’s intelligence capability. The alarm reporting system and case tracking system were strengthened to effectively monitor the progress of cases.
Traffic control and maintenance were improved to bring back sanity in the streets. Traffic personnel was augmented by tapping all available personnel in police stations and other operating units especially during rush hours. Enforcement of traffic rules and regulations was strictly observed, as well as city ordinances on street obstructions and littering.
A year after the "PIT" campaign took effect high profile crimes like bank heists and kidnap-for-ransom steadily declined. Manila also remained safe from terrorist attacks as the WPD tightened its watch over government installations, the Pandacan oil depot and other public places.
From July 29, 2002 to July 15, 2003, the WPD’s overall crime solution efficiency (CSE) went up to 96.18 percent compared to the 90.84 percent and 93.55 percent for the same period in 2002 and 2001, respectively. The downward trend in criminality and the upsurge in the campaigns against vices matched the successive arrest of Manila’s notorious criminals, notable of which is the arrest of Jupiter Gonzales and Victor Macaldo, suspects in the assassination of former Manila Councilor Chika Go in Binondo last August 2002.
Bulaong said that under his watch, the WPD projected a stronger yet more citizen-friendly image. He is also optimistic that with the trust and confidence of the community, the WPD now moves closer to the realization of regaining the old glory of the Manila’s Finest. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe