Mar, PNP top brass to review anti-crime measures

MANILA, Philippines - Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said Wednesday that he has called for a meeting with the leaders of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to review its measures against criminality and the implementation of checkpoints and patrol operations in connection with the nationwide gun ban.

Roxas admitted that he is alarmed with the rising cases of crime, particularly shootings and robbery, despite the PNP's implementation of the Commission on Elections' gun ban and its intensified campaign against loose firearms.

"Kasama ninyo ako na naaalarma din. Sa kabila ng mga hakbang na isinasagawa ng PNP at pati na rin 'yung mga checkpoint at gun ban, itong masasamang loob talagang gusto nilang subukan ang pamahalaan," Roxas said in an interview with radio dzMM.

He said that his meeting with PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima and ranking police officials will be held on Wednesday morning.

He said he wants to get full details of how the PNP is implementing the checkpoints, the election gun ban and its anti-crime prevention measures.

"Gagawin kong executive session, walang mga staff, walang mga assistant para magkamasinsinan na pag-uusapan ano ba talaga, dahil hindi naman pwedeng magpatuloy ito," he said.

Initially, Roxas admitted that the PNP lacks personnel and resources. He also admitted that the PNP's intelligence is weak.

"Malaki talaga ang problema, hindi basta-basta malulutas ito. Malaki ang kakulangan sa tao, malaki kakulangan sa intelligence, sa resources at iba pa," he said.

On Tuesday, six heavily-armed men raided a Western Union branch in Paranaque City. The robbers escaped with P60,000 from the money transfer shop after a brief gunfight with patrolling policemen.

On Monday morning, a businessman was shot dead in broad daylight in San Juan City by a lone gunman. Over the weekend, a group of gunmen carried out a daring heist at the SM Megamall.

The incidents followed the courtroom shooting in Cebu City, where three persons, including the shooter, were killed.

Days after the New Year's Eve revelry, a drug crazed man shot and killed seven people in Cavite province.

CCTV requirement

Roxas, meanwhile, said that the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is planning to require all business establishments, particularly banks, pawnshops, jewelry shops, money changer companies, to install close-circuit television (CCTV) cameras inside and outside their establishments before securing a business permit.

He said he is currently consulting with the department's legal counsels regarding the plan.

"Hinahanapan pa ng legal basis 'yung pagsasalagay ng business permit lalung-lalo na dito sa mga bangko, mga pawnshop, mga jewelry shop, lahat itong mga tindahan na naglalaman ng mga mamamahalin o mga pera ay obligado na silang magkaroon ng CCTV sa loob atsaka sa labas ng kanilang tindahan," he said.

Roxas, meanwhile, said that the DILG will seek the opinion and suggestions from the stakeholders, including businessmen.

"Isa sa mga hakbang na pinag-iisipan pa . Hindi pa ito policy kaya 'wag munang maalarma ang ating mga kababayan o ang ating mga negosyante pero pinag-iisipan ito... Hinahanapan natin ng legal basis 'yan," he said.