Marbil orders more cops out on field duties

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered field commanders to intensify police presence in the street across the country, but clarified that it has nothing to do with the alleged presence of members of the Chinese military.

Acting on the directive of Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil yesterday mandated a nationwide intensification of patrol operations in all regional, provincial, city and municipal police stations.

Marbil’s order includes foot patrols in urban centers, residential areas and other high-traffic locations to maintain visible police presence in communities.

“This initiative is designed to not only prevent crime, but also to build trust and rapport with the communities we serve,” Marbil said in a statement.

Also included are motorcycle patrols to ensure swift response to incidents and emergencies.

Marbil also wants more Oplan Galugad and Oplan Sita operations in crime-prone areas to deter criminal activities.

To ensure that his directive is accomplished, Marbil ordered that 85 percent of the 232,000-strong police force be actively engaged in field duties, reducing the number of police officers assigned to desk duties.

“Our goal is to protect and serve the public with integrity and dedication. We must work hand in hand with our communities to create an environment where everyone feels safe and secure,” he said.

The PNP clarified, though, that the deployment of more police officers on the streets is not related to the alleged presence of members of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the armed component of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), reported espionage activities by China and the ongoing conflict in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“While it concerns security, our objective is not only limited and focused on what is said to be possible espionage activities of the Chinese that we caught, and of course, what is happening in the WPS,” PNP’s chief publicist Col. Jean Fajardo said at a news briefing at Camp Crame.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission recently discovered what it suspected are PLA uniforms at an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator hub in Porac,