MANILA, Philippines - Don’t be surprised if you see English-speaking and better-looking policemen once you report a crime at this newly opened station in Libis, Quezon City.
Tagged as a “model police station,” this facility was inaugurated yesterday to service clients and employees of businesses and residents of high-rise residences in the area. “It will be tourist-oriented. Twenty-five new police recruits will be assigned here and undergo on-the-job skills training that will include English proficiency,” Quezon City Police District director Chief Superintendent Elmo San Diego said.
“Apart from being idealistic as they are rookie policemen, we have placed here personnel who are better-looking,” San Diego told The STAR in jest in an interview during yesterday’s launch.
The new police station covers four villages — Barangays Bagumbayan, Libis, Ugong Norte, and White Plains. The new facility located on C-5 Road, corner Richmond Street in Barangay Bagumbayan brings to 12 the police stations of the Quezon City Police District.
However, pending a resolution from the National Police Commission formally establishing it as a separate police station, it will function under the QCPD-Station 8 under Superintendent Oscar Palisoc. According to San Diego, the prime 2,520 square-meter lot was donated by Ortigas and Co. way back in 1976. “It became a dingy barracks with a carenderia surrounded by squatters,” he said.
Last year, under the leadership of Director Magtanggol Gatdula, then head of the QCPD, the city police cleared the property of informal settlers and illegal structures. “The PNP entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Eastwood City Estate Association which agreed to finance the construction of this modern P20 million worth, two-storey public safety facility,” San Diego said.
According to San Diego, constituents in the Eastwood area can be assured of faster response to fire incidents and to calls for police assistance.
Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., stressed the importance of the establishment of the model police and fire station with the fast rise of the Libis area as a commercial district.
“Peace and order is an integral part in the development of the city,” Belmonte said. – Reinir Padua