CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – At least 204 new patrol jeeps were turned over yesterday to five regional police offices to improve law enforcement and disaster response.
The 204 Mahindra jeeps were part of the 1,470 vehicles recently purchased by the Philippine National Police (PNP) from India.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas led a ceremony here marking the distribution of at least 48 jeeps in Central Luzon, 39 in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), 48 in Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), 44 in Central Visayas and 25 in Zamboanga.
Chief Superintendent Richard Albano, Calabarzon police chief, said the new patrol jeeps would boost the PNP’s Oplan Lambat-Sibat, an anti-crime campaign that was proven successful in Metro Manila and is being replicated at the regional levels.
Albano said the vehicles would be used in other special operations such as civil assistance, relief and search operation, and internal security operation.
The provinces of Batangas and Laguna earlier received 24 and 31 patrol jeeps, respectively.
Quezon Rep. Vicente Alcala thanked the government for the new patrol vehicles. – With Michelle Zoleta