Salcedo, Makati residents call for single entry-exit point at night to curb rising crime

MANILA, Philippines – Salcedo Village in Makati City in the Philippine capital region is known for its posh yet cozy neighborhood, lined with restaurants and quaint cafés.

Every Saturday, one of the portions of the area transforms into a vibrant marketplace where stalls brim with fresh produce, artisanal goods, flowers, and a variety of foods. Residents and visitors stroll freely under the shade of lush green trees.

But when night falls, the atmosphere changes. Whether it’s a weekend or a weekday, the neighborhood of Salcedo is on alert for criminal activities — often involving motorcycle riders.

Last November 7, the Makati City police arrested two men for allegedly robbing two Japanese men, Inquirer reported. 

Makati City Police Substation 6 Commander Major Jay Ar Fajardo told Rappler that Salcedo has become a magnet for robbers, with high-value targets like foreigners often carrying top-of-the-line phones and cash. 

In recent months, Salcedo has seen an uptick in economic and violent crimes, such as robbery, compared to last year.

Fajardo said that they are stretched thin, with officers patrolling three barangays — Bel-Air, Poblacion, and Guadalupe Viejo — each night. Guadalupe Viejo is one of Makati’s most densely populated areas, while Poblacion is known for its nightlife scene.

Substation 6 operates with just 33 personnel, each working 12-hour shifts, six days a week. Fajardo said they need 66 to 80 more officers to keep up, adding that sometimes they are the ones being sneaked up on by criminals.

“Right now, we only have two roving teams for night patrols,” Fajardo said, citing challenges such as the district’s mix of residential zones, at least 14 embassies, and its proximity to Makati’s main Central Business District.

While the Makati City government has approved the hiring of 72 additional police officers, their deployment may take some time due to training requirements, Fajardo said.

In response to rising crime, Salcedo residents are calling for the implementation of a single entry-and-exit point from 10 pm to 4 am. They proposed H.V. Dela Costa Street as the designated access point.

Barangay Bel-Air officials, where Salcedo is located, backed the