MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be closely watching 14 commercial districts in Metro Manila which are considered high-crime areas this coming Holidays, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said.
Roxas said that these high-traffic and high-crime areas include malls and shopping centers in Marikina, Pasig, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Moriones, Ermita, Pasay, Makati, Muntinlupa, Taguig, Masambong, Cubao, Kamuning and Eastwood.
He said he has coordinated with the PNP officer in charge, Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, to ensure that high crime areas of convergence, especially malls in Metro Manila, will be under the close watch of authorities.
"We saturate these areas with police personnel because criminals cluster around commercial areas," Roxas said.
Earlier, Roxas confirmed a downward trend in criminality in National Capital Region mainly due to the deliberate, programmatic and sustained approach that the PNP has taken under Oplan Lambat-Sibat.
He also said that part of the operation plan was "Pasadya," where police interventions were designed based on the particular features of the environment.
Force multipliers such as volunteer radio groups and barangay peacekeeping action teams were also deployed with uniformed police personnel to help provide additional security in convergence areas.