Marikina, Antipolo police improve coordination vs robberies

Police officials in Marikina City and Antipolo City have strengthened their coordination in a bid to curb the rampant robberies targeting passengers of FX taxis and passenger jeepneys crossing the boundary.

Chief Superintendent Oscar Valenzuela, director of the Eastern Police District (EPD), said the two neighboring police stations agreed to share intelligence information, especially on their list of most wanted persons.

"When a crime incident happens, the two police stations will be conducting joint dragnet operations," Valenzuela said.

During a recent meeting, the EPD chief called the attention of newly-installed Marikina City police chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan and Antipolo City police chief Superintendent Primitivo Tabujara to the rising number of robbery incidents along the stretch of the Sumulong Highway.

Valenzuela vowed to reduce the crime rate in the area as he expressed strong confidence it could be done by proper coordination between the two police stations.

"The police officials agreed to call each other for a speedy response to a crime being reported," Valenzuela said.

He said the joint dragnet was tested during the recent bank robbery in Marikina City, where elements of the Antipolo City police conducted blocking operations against five suspects.

"The Antipolo City police failed to make contact with the suspects, but their response after being informed of the bank robbery was prompt and timely," the EPD director said.

The joint anti-crime operations of the two city police stations will be fine-tuned until such time a speedy response is reached.

Once the anti-crime program of the two cities shows positive results, they intend to expand the coordination with adjoining towns of Rizal province like Taytay and Cainta and Pasig City in eastern Metro Manila. – Non Alquitran