NCRPO reports zero heists for 2009

MANILA, Philippines - The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) reported yesterday that they recorded no incidents of robberies involving banks, armored vans, payrolls or bank clients for the first two months of 2009.

NCRPO chief Director Leopoldo Bataoil attributed this to the government’s drive to neutralize several notorious robbery groups operating in Metro Manila.

“It is significant to note that despite the looming global economic crisis that is affecting our country, no high-profile crime such as bank robbery and other bank-related robbery incidents, cargo hijacking and the like were perpetrated for the first two months of 2009,” he said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) recorded two bank robberies, an armored van heist, four payroll robberies and seven bank client robberies for the first two months of 2008.

Bataoil said the “zero-heist” incident for 2009 came as a result of the massive police operations carried out by the NCRPO that led to the neutralization of the Waray-Waray/Ozamis robbery group and its remaining members last December.

Bataoil believes Metro Manila’s district directors and police chiefs will continue to ensure peace and order in the metropolis as the NCRPO goes on with its anti-crime drive.

He said 300 more policemen will be downloaded from the regional headquarters to the different Metro Manila district offices and city police stations.