Espina orders crackdown on ‘tunnel rats’

MANILA, Philippines - National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Leonardo Espina ordered the metropolis’ police officers to tighten security on commercial establishment to prevent “tunnel rats” or burglars from digging tunnels into shops during the long weekend.

“As our stakeholders enjoy the long weekend, we advise the public, particularly businessmen to check the security of their establishments from burglary perpetrated by acetylene gang or tunnel rats,” he said in an advisory issued yesterday by the NCRPO.

Espina noted tunnel-digging burglars usually hit banks, moneychanger shops, jewelry stores, and cell phone shops.

Espina directed his five district directors to coordinate closely with establishment owners in checking nearby and adjacent newly rented houses for burglars posing as new tenants.

He also ordered his men to inspect the drainage systems, window grills and roofing of these commercial establishments as these are the favorite entry points of the burglars.

The NCPRO chief hopes that the early warning to the public plus the heightened alert level of the police would curb burglaries during the long weekend.