"They will not only be going after criminals, but will also spread the spirit of Christmas to Filipinos at the malls," said Metro police chief Director Vidal Querol.
The Metro police chief launched the "Santa cops" project of the NCRPO last Sunday during the inspection of several Metro Manila malls, which were packed with shoppers.
He said the Santa cops would be posted at police assistance centers located in the entrances of malls and commercial centers during the remaining days before Christmas.
"All our fellow Filipinos have to do is to report to our Santa cops crimes like pickpocketing and they will react accordingly," Querol said.
The Santa cops would be posted at shopping malls and commercial centers from 10 a.m. until midnight.
Chief Superintendent Oscar Valenzuela, director of the Eastern Police District (EPD), said Santa cops have been deployed to the Star Mall, Shangri-la, Greenhills, SM MegaMall Podium and Robinson’s Galleria.
Except for the Greenhills shopping center, which is located in San Juan, the rest are malls at the Ortigas business and commercial district.
According to Valenzuela, there are two types of Santa cops deployed in his area of jurisdiction — those in full police uniform with the familiar red Santa hat and those in full Santa outfits.
"We are warning criminals not to take advantage of the Christmas shopping rush because our Santa cops are on their toes to go after them," Valenzuela said.
Querol said he will conduct daily inspections at the malls to make sure the Santa cops are performing their assigned tasks.
"With just a few more days before Christmas, our policemen will be working to make sure people are safe while shopping," he said.
Querol directed his five police district directors to conduct regular inspections at malls and commercial centers so lapses on the deployment of Santa cops can be corrected.