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Patrol and duty

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Frommel Francisco Marbil has ordered all police stations nationwide to conduct more patrols to boost their visibility and ensure a rapid response to calls for help. His directive requires 85 percent of all police personnel to be actively involved in field duties, significantly reducing the number of those assigned to desk work.

“This increased deployment of PNP personnel for patrolling is crucial in safeguarding community well-being. We are committed to making our communities safer by ensuring a strong police presence in public spaces. 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.

The field duties would involve patrols on foot, where officers engage directly with the community in urban centers, residential areas, and other high traffic locations, and on motorcycles, in which motorcycle units would patrol key areas to ensure quick mobility and response to incidents and emergencies.

The order also included the intensified conduct of “Oplan Galudgod” and “Oplan Sita” operations. The first focuses on thorough searches and inspections in designated areas, particularly those known for high crime rates, to disrupt and dismantle criminal activities. The second involves checkpoints and routine stops to check for legal compliance and prevent the movement of illegal items.

Marbil called on all police personnel to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and community engagement during operations. “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 added.

Policemen on patrol, right in the heart of our communities where more Filipinos would like to feel safe and secure, would be a good thing to see. Hopefully this initiative by the PNP will drive better engagement between the people and their police force, whose presence has been more worrisome rather than comforting in the recent past.

It will take more than just their presence, via increased patrols, to restore the trust that has been lost by the heavy handed approach that was employed during the previous administration’s bloody and indiscriminate war on drugs, but this is hopefully a good start. If they can leave their assault weapons, body armor, and camouflage uniforms while there at it, that would also be great.*

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