The achievement of the Filipino’s long-term vision of a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay depends upon a setting and its environs that is safe, sheltered, protected and orderly. It is the government’s duty to safeguard its citizens and general public for them to feel secure to go around all places in the country, without fear of harm, and they are able to perform their business, economic, and social pursuits.
The government through its security forces is committed in its campaign against all forms of criminality, illegal drugs, crimes, trafficking-in-persons, and other forms of criminality and lawlessness.
During the past few days, the residents of Puerto Princesa panicked with the reported shuttle van whose passengers tried to abduct a woman in Barangay Mandaragat. This incident took place, few days after a female employee inside Robinson’s mall went missing.
Authorities still investigate both incidents.
The key to addressing issues similar to this is strengthening the police presence coupled with the community’s active engagement in crime prevention.
New technology should likewise play vital roles in crime prevention, sad to note, CCTV cameras are reportedly not functioning in some areas in the City. Both government and private sector need to collaborate and help each other in this aspect.
Increasing and improving police presence as a deterrent to criminality and lawlessness should be implemented to raise the standards for public safety. Efforts to enhance police presence to maintain peace and order should also be prioritized. In doing so, the PNP will achieve the standard police-to-population ratio of 1:500 to improve public safety. There is an urgent need to pursue the construction of additional police stations in every community to further strengthen and expand their presence. To enhance policing presence in communities, various programs and activities, such as Pulis Nyo Po sa Barangay, Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams, and Barangay Information Networks, be continuously and sustainably conducted in order to organize and empower force multipliers at the local level. The PNP’s Community and Service-Oriented Policing System should also be strengthened to help build stronger ties between communities and to strengthen the community’s engagement in addressing public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime.
The government should continue to exert efforts in building the capabilities of public safety institutions, and law enforcement agencies, including the local governments and the barangays, to respond to all hazards that pose threats to the safety of the public.
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