P-Noy to PNP: Stop cell phone snatchers

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino ordered yesterday the Philippine National Police (PNP) to address rampant cell phone snatching, particularly in Metro Manila.

During a command conference at the PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City yesterday presided over by the President, he learned there were a total of 246,958 crimes in 2011, which indicated a steady decline compared with the figures for the past two years. In 2009, there was a total crime volume of 502,665 cases.

“If you compare it with a two-year period, there were many instances crime incidents decreased by 50 percent,” Aquino said during a short interview with reporters.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said the President asked about the type of crimes recorded in 2011 and what should be done to stop them. “Let’s say on cell phone snatching, the President instructed the police to come up with programs to address them,” he said.

Cruz said the President told those present during the command conference that many investors have signified intentions to invest in the country, so the police should do its part by ensuring the country has an environment in which is safe to do business.

In response, PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome said the PNP will intensify the implementation of the “time clock” program, where in the territorial police will determine the time of day when crime incidents are most prevalent and so patrol operations can be concentrated during these times.

Cruz said the PNP “time clock” program was seen as one of the factors in the significant decrease of crimes in the country in the past two years.