More motorcycle cops on patrol

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Calderon is deploying more motorcycle police patrols throughout Metro Manila to deter an anticipated crime surge as the nation prepares for the holidays.

With motorcycle riding police officers roaming the streets to deter street crimes, Calderon expects criminals to have a blue Christmas.

"They are not only riders but they will implement anti-street crime operations, going after criminal elements," said Calderon, of the newly formed Task Group Motorized Anti-Street Operatives (TG-MASO), which he said is a "declaration of war against criminals."

Calderon said officers of the TG MASO had undergone proper training to be able to effectively catch offenders.

Criminal suspects on motorcycles easily get away from pursuing policemen on board patrol cars by going through narrow alleys or weaving through traffic jams. With more officers on motorcycles this time, they can chase criminals in every street.

Metro Manila Police chief Director Reynaldo Varilla said there has been "natural tendency" for street crimes like robbery to increase during Christmas season.

Calderon, who personally led the formal launching of TG MASO, also reminded officers to strictly follow prescribed police operational procedures and uphold human rights in all police operations.

Aside from preventive patrol and dragnet operations, Varilla said the TG MASO will also man checkpoints in strategic locations in Metro Manila’s five police districts to prevent movement of criminal elements and arrest persons with illegal firearms and deadly weapons.

Calderon instructed Varilla to assign responsible officers to supervise all checkpoint operations as required by police operational procedures or rules of engagement.

"My instructions are to respect human rights at all times and to strictly follow all regulations to the letter. Respect for human rights is not a mere requirement, it is a policy," Calderon said.

Calderon’s call comes as the PNP joins the nationwide annual observance of National Human Rights Consciousness Week during the second week of December.

"Our objective here is not only raise the level of awareness and consciousness of all police personnel on respect for human rights, but more importantly, to transform all personnel into human rights advocates," he said.