Joy Belmonte lauds QCPD for ‘zero-crime’ Christmas

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte  yesterday lauded the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) for recording a zero-crime rate in the city on Christmas Day. 

On Wednesday, QCPD director Chief Superintendent Joselito Esquivel said there were no reports on any of the eight index crimes of homicide, murder, physical injury, robbery, theft, rape and vehicle and motorcycle robbery in the city last Dec. 25. 

He said aside from 920 persons accosted for violating various city ordinances and six caught with illegal drugs, there were no major untoward incidents recorded. 

Belmonte said the zero-crime rate was due to the intensive police visibility in public places, citing the deployment of 2,287 police officers in malls, churches and transport terminals. 

“They were not able to get leaves and breaks during Christmas; they did not celebrate with their families because of the call of service, and for that, we should really admire their dedication to their duty,” she added. 

The vice mayor expressed hope that the same security measures would be maintained to ensure a peaceful New Year celebration. 

“I think it is possible, with our intensified police visibility, and now that our people are more vigilant,” she said.