TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- A week after assuming post, Police Regional Office 02 (PRO2) Director Police Chief Superintendent Jose Mario Espino ordered police to have “zero tolerance” on crime and drugs.
“[We] focus in managing police operation [and] community service-oriented policing system…As your new regional director, we will have a zero tolerance approach on crime in any level,” Espino said as he addressed police officers in his first command visit in Cagayan Police Provincial Office (CPPO) Camp Tirso Gador, on Wednesday, January 31.
To achieve this, the new PRO2 chief said they will “go back to the basics” and follow goal-oriented neighborhood policing.
Espino instructed police to intensify police patrol on streets, use a police beat plan, and continue anti-criminality campaign.
(READ: PRO2 chief Espino orders intensified police patrol on streets)
The former Central Visayas police chief tasked Cagayan police to continue reducing crime rate. He added that decreasing crime rate is not a matter of luck, demographics, nor poverty but is a result of “tough and intelligent policing.”
In a press release, CPPO Provincial Operations and Plans Branch recorded a 43% decrease in crime volume. Crime rate was reduced from 264 cases to 148, CPPO said.
Further, Espino reminded commanders to be “serious” and ordered crime statisticians to notify their station chief if the crime rate is increasing.
The new PRO2 chief also urged his troops to act on minor crimes such as graffiti paintings, noting that these simple crimes would lead youth to capital crimes.
“Alam n’yo po, yung mga bata na hindi n’yo pinapansin sa kalsada, pagdating ng araw, yan na yung mga rapist, yan na yung mga holdaper [at] snatcher. Diba? Pinapabayaan n’yo [kasi] sa streets,” he said.
Espino also encouraged the police to have a proactive and preventative approach against crime.
“Sa atin, if there will be reduction of crimes, automatic there will be a renewal of civic security. Pag safe ang lugar, it will flourish, people will want to visit and do business. So yun ang tulong natin sa lugar,” Espino added. Northernforum.net
