Marikina cops get equipment boost

To improve police services in her city, Marikina Mayor Ma. Lourdes Fernando will donate 16 multi-cab vehicles, two motorcycles, nine handheld radios and 19 battery packs to the city’s law enforcers.

The equipment donation underscores Fernando’s intent to continue putting peace and order among the city’s top priorities in an effort to boost economic activity there.

Fernando will turn the equipment over to Deputy Director General Reynaldo Varilla, who heads the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), and ranking officials of the Eastern Police District (EPD) headed by Senior Superintendent Constante Azares during the flag-raising ceremony at the Marikina City Hall compound today.

Varilla said in and interview that Fernando’s donation will be a big help towards improving the city’s anti-crime programs: "We will repay them with more efficient police service."

Marikina police chief Superintendent Sotero Ramos Jr. said Fernando’s donation is the first tranche of the equipment she promised to provide the local police with on New Year’s Day: "16 sets of computers are in transit."

The equipment will be turned over of the city’s 16 police precincts and are expected to boost the local police’s visibility and capability to fight crime.

"We will use the equipment in addressing the problems of petty crime like theft and robbery," Ramos said. "We are also out to stop, once and for all, fraternity and gang wars involving teenagers, especially during the summer vacation."

The Marikina City police were conferred an award for having the Best Police Station in the EPD last year because of the city’s low crime rate and vast accomplishments against criminal activity.

Ramos is hoping the additional equipment will help them further reduce the city’s crime rate and thus spur local and foreign investment. – Non Alquitran