Makati cops deploy bus marshals to deter pickpockets

MANILA, Philippines - The Makati City Police deployed marshals aboard buses that pass through Gil Puyat Avenue (formerly Buendia) in a bid to deter pickpockets that prey on unsuspecting passengers.

Makati Police chief, Sr. Supt. Manuel Lukban,  said the deployment of police officers aboard buses was a response of the city police to complaints posted by victims at the city’s Twitter account (@MakatiInfo).

The Information and Community Relations Department (ICRD) of the Makati City government last September launched @MakatiInfo as a platform for complaints, comments, suggestions and inquiries from the public. It also posts press releases, media advisories and announcements.

As of December 31, 2012, @MakatiInfo already had 796 followers and 252 tweets, which increased to 1,029 followers and 377 tweets as of March 19, 2013.

Lukban said that in response to the posted complaints, he ordered personnel of police community precincts 2 and 3 to routinely board buses passing through Buendia, particularly at the portion between Mayapis St. and the Makati Medical Center.

“The marshals randomly perform checks on buses or converse with passengers at the loading and unloading areas as part of the Makati Police’s Oplan Sita. They also conduct intelligence gathering to deter occurrence of crimes,” said Lukban.

According to Lukban, the Makati Police had previously deployed bus marshals as part of its routine patrol when there were 10 substations in the city.

However, the deployment of bus marshals was stopped last year when the city police expanded the number of substations to 33, to cover the city’s 33 barangays.

"When the program to have one substation per barangay was implemented last year, the activity stopped since all policemen were deployed to the 33 substations. This system lessened the response capacity of the substations since the seven to eight policemen assigned at the substation can only respond within the barangay,” said Lukban.

Lukban said the 33 substations were again clustered back to 10 substations early this year, allowing policemen from other substations to respond to an incident within the jurisdiction of a cluster.
 
Meanwhile, Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay announced that the number of closed circuit television cameras installed at the city’s Central Business District has been increased from 11 to 115 units. The cameras are installed at the major thoroughfares of the CBD.  - Mike Frialde