PNP to crack down on criminals, drug pushers

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) will intensify its operations against criminals and drug pushers all over the country as part of its security plan for the Christmas season, an official said yesterday.

“We expect a rash of petty crimes, like the snatching of cell phones and (muggings), so we would conduct a massive anti-crime campaign,” said Deputy Director General Felipe Rojas Jr., the PNP’s deputy chief for operations, in an interview.

The 148,000-strong police force was placed on full alert during the All Saints’ Day celebration and Rojas said no major crimes were reported in cemeteries nationwide.

He said that it is but proper for the PNP to respond to the challenge of curbing the distribution of illegal drugs and the activities of criminals, which usually rise during the Christmas season.

“Majority of the criminals are high on drugs when they strike during the Christmas season so we wanted to bring to its lowest level the supply of illegal drugs in the country, that we hoped would also lessen criminality,” he said.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group will go after criminals while the Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operation Task Force will spearhead the war against illegal drugs, Rojas said.

He added that the Police Regional Offices will also focus on serving search and arrest warrants to put criminals behind bars before they could operate during the Christmas season.