Calls for a meeting with PNP officials
MANILA -- Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas on Wednesday expressed alarm over the rise in crime incidents in the country despite the ongoing election gun ban and the police checkpoints being set up in various areas.
"Kasama niyo ako na naaalarma din. Sa kabila ng mga hakbang na isinasagawa ng [Philippine National Police] at pati na rin 'yung mga checkpoint, gun ban at iba pa, eh itong mga masasamang loob e talagang gusto nilang subukan ang pamahalaan," Roxas told radio dzMM.
He said even President Benigno Aquino II already expressed concern over the growing crime rate in Metro Manila.
"Siya rin mismo nababahala. Kinikilala niya na sa kabuuan ng Pilipinas 'yung crime rate, statistics sa iba't-ibang rehiyon ay bumaba or gumanda. Pero dito sa Kamaynilaan...ay tumaas."
Roxas said he has called for a meeting with PNP officials today to discuss the necessary measures the government should now take to combat crimes in the country.
"Para malaman ano ba talaga ang status, ano bang isinasagawa nila, papaano ba natin mapapahusay 'yung pagdeploy ng ating mga pulis para maiwasan or para madeter itong mga krimen na ito," he said.
"'Yung mga hakbang para sa mga law-abiding [citizens] ay hindi talaga sinusunod. Kaya kailangan ng ibang mga hakbang para dito sa masasamang loob," Roxas added.
The DILG secretary also admitted that their lack of human resources is one reason why they experience difficulty in deterring crimes.
"Malaki talaga ang problema... Malaki ang kakulangan sa tao, malaki kakulangan sa intelligence, resources at iba pa," he said.
'No CCTV, No Business Permit'
Roxas said the government is now studying if a "No CCTV, No Business Permit" policy should be implemented across the country.
Under the policy, business establishments will have to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras inside and outside their offices in order to be given business permits.
"Isa sa mga hakbang na pinag-iisipan pa, hindi pa po ito policy huwag munang maalarma ang ating mga kababayan o ang ating mga negosyante pero pinag-iisipan ito... Para makakuha ng business permit, lalong-lalo na sa mga bangko, pawnshop, jewelry shop, lahat itong mga tindahan na naglalaman ng mamahalin o pera, ay obligado na silang magkaroon ng CCTV sa loob at saka sa labas ng kanilang tindahan," Roxas said.
"Makakatulong ito, kung hindi man sa pag-prevent o pag-deter ay sa paghuli [ng mga kriminal]," he added.
He noted that footage from CCTVs can sometimes help determine the identity of a criminal.
Armed men robbed a jewelry store inside SM Megamall last Saturday.
On Tuesday, several armed men robbed at least P60,000 from a Western Union branch in Sucat, Parañaque.
Meanwhile, over 300 people have been arrested for violating the election gun ban since its implementation last January 13.
source: abs-cbnnews.com
