Marikina cops establish ‘discipline zone’

Marikina City police chief Superintendent Sotero Ramos Jr. said a stretch of Sumulong Highway in Barangay Sto. Niño has been designated as the city’s “discipline zone.”

Ramos said that in the zone, the local police, in coordination with the city government and barangay officials, will strictly enforce rules on loading and unloading areas for vehicles, parking areas, jaywalking, littering, the locking of motor and bicycles to street railings, and rid the streets of all kinds of vendors.

The zone will be in effect over a four-month observation period.

Metro police chief Director Geary Barias said the objective of the project is to transform Metro Manila into a “zone of discipline” where citizens obey basic laws and ordinances that impose order and discipline.

“Strict police enforcement of existing laws and ordinances will strike fear of arrest (and) penalties that will compel obedience, respect for the law and eventually instill discipline among citizens,” Barias said, noting that other police stations will submit their own designated “discipline zone” in the coming days.

He added that the project is hinged on the belief that “minor violations, if unchecked and uncontrolled, produce an atmosphere that is conducive to crime and anarchy – resulting in more serious crimes on streets and in communities. Crimes flourish because of lax law enforcement.” – Non Alquitran