Crimes vs property down 35% in Manila

Crimes against property in Manila, which include theft, robbery and snatching, significantly dropped by 35 percent for the third quarter as compared to the same period last year, statistics released by the Manila Police District (MPD) showed.

Records showed that from July to September this year, the MPD’s Theft and Robbery Section recorded 32 cases as compared to 49 for the same period last year, 25 of which had been solved for a 78 percent crime solution efficiency.

Theft and Robbery Section head Chief Inspector Benjamin Reyes attributed the MPD’s success against property crimes to the police’s positive approach on suspected crime groups through daily arrests.

"We deter the commission of the crime by arresting recidivist persons observed mingling in crowded places such as malls, churches and the University Belt," Reyes said.

Upon the directive of MPD director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong, the Theft and Robbery Section had arrested 15 suspected snatchers and pickpockets who had previous police records.

"Vagrancy charges will be initially filed against these persons, until victims show up at our office to identify them so that additional charges can be filed. This is our positive approach to deter crimes," Reyes said.

The Theft and Robbery Section chief also deployed 20 plainclothes policemen in crowded areas to spot criminals.

In order to maintain alertness against bank robbery groups, Reyes sees to it that his men conduct daily briefings with the bank security guards on monitoring and alarm procedures.

Hijacking syndicates were also neutralized through spot checkings on all delivery trucks coming from the pier zones and moving outside Manila. Police checkpoints were also set up at all entrance and exit points, Reyes added.

On the preventive aspect, he said detective beat patrolling on crime-prone areas will be heightened with additional repressive patrol teams to be deployed in busy public places, school vicinities, shopping malls and transport terminals.

"This is in addition to intense monitoring efforts being conducted by my men on activities of terrorist groups that may create havoc and sow terror in the metropolis," Reyes said. – Nestor Etolle