SOME 500 policemen were deployed in the streets of Metro Manila yesterday as the government intensified its anti-crime drive.
The deployment of additional cops brought to around 21,500 the number of policemen currently deployed in Metro Manila, according to the National Capital Region Police Office.
In a press briefing, Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla said the government wants the public to feel safer, thus the deployment of additional policemen.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier ordered the Department of Interior and Local Government and the PNP to increase police visibility to deter crime and implement a unified emergency hotline for faster crisis response.
“This (deployment) is part of the directive of President Bonbong Marcos. He said it’s time to act, it’s time to make the people feel safe, it’s time to make the streets safer, it’s time to make the people’s lives better,” said Remulla.
“This is not a one-time, big-time event. It is a continuous, intensified, comprehensive approach to solving criminality in the city and the country,” he emphasized.
Remulla said Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Central Visayas and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are the next areas where police visibility will be enhanced.
He said these four areas were chosen based on the density of population and crime occurrence.
Remulla said that while there is a decrease in index crimes, this has to be aligned with the people’s perception.
“What is happening in the last few years is that the PNP, when reporting crime statistics, is saying they are doing a good job. They are showing that index crime is going down. But the people are saying ‘we do not feel safe’,” said Remulla.
He said the PNP statistics and the public perception should be “connected” or aligned.
“People should feel safe when they wake up, that their children will return home safe, they can go to work peacefully, that they can walk safely even at night,” said Remulla.
“That is our aim. People must feel safe, people must feel that the policemen are protecting them, people must feel that their communities are safer than before,” added Remulla.
Remulla said there seems to be a disconnect in the PNP statistics about the improved peace and order situation and public perception.
“Their (PNP) report is good-looking looking but it is the only metric that matters. The only metric that is important is, do the people feel safe?” said Remulla.
“You can show all the statistics (but) do the people feel safe? That is our goal. It’s not just about presenting statistics. It’s not enough that we (in the PNP) say we are very good. It’s the people who should say we (PNP) are very good,” said Remulla.
Remulla said they are hoping people will change their perception about the country’s peace and order within the next three months.
Remulla also said the DILG is set to roll out the Unified 911 Emergency System in July this year.
He said the project is due to be bid out in less than one month, adding they are just waiting for the release of the Special Allotment Release Order for the project.
Remulla said the system will be initially rolled out in Metro Manila, BARRM, Ilocos region, and Central Visayas.
“We are going to deploy the latest technology in the world,” said Remulla.
In a statement, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Franciso Marbil underscored the importance of the deployment of additional personnel in Metro Manila.
“The recalibrated deployment plan is our aggressive response to the call of President Marcos to ensure peace, safety, and stability in our nation’s capital,” said Marbil.
“This shows our strong commitment to deliver quality police service and establish a secure environment for every Filipino in Metro Manila,” he added.
The PNP Public Information Office, in a statement, said the “strategic initiative is designed to ensure heightened police visibility, faster response time, and a stronger deterrent against criminality in the region.”
The PNP said it is steadfast in its commitment to “turning this marching order (of President Marcos) into concrete action.”
“This enhanced and adaptive deployment plan marks a crucial step toward achieving lasting peace and order not only in Metro Manila but throughout the country—creating not just safer streets but also reinforcing public trust and confidence in the police force,” the PNP said.
