Be Wary of Crime Groups as ‘Ber’ Months Start — PNP

Manila (PNA) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Saturday urged the public to be more vigilant against robbers and shoplifters as they go about with their shopping at the onset of the so-called “ber” months.

The “ber” months are the months leading to Christmas and New Year’s holidays in the Philippines.

The PNP issued this warning as crimes can happen to anyone at the most unexpected time

And to prevent this, PNP Director General Ricardo C. Marquez said the public must be kept informed of the various modus operandi of criminal groups like Salisi Gang, Laglag barya Gang, Besfren Gang, Tutok-Kalawit Gang, Ipit/Ipit-Taxi Gang, Laslas Bag/Bulsa, Estribo Gang, Dura Boys, Pitas Gang and other groups.

During the regular Lambat Sibat meeting at PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) noted a significant decrease in robbery and theft for the past week.

From an average of 794 cases per week on June 2014 to January 2015, robbery and theft continuously dipped to 273 recorded incidents last week, Aug. 24-30.

In line with the Lambat-Sibat campaign initiated by Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, the qualitative analysis (from Aug. 24 to 30 2015) conducted by the DIDM has recorded that 20 percent of theft cases is due to shoplifting.

DIDM also noted that 27 percent of recorded robbery incidents occurred from 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Furthermore, the DIDM identified streets (31 percent), residential areas (26 percent) and PUVs (21 percent) as the most places where robbery incidents exist.

Earlier this month, National Capital Region Police Office head Chief Supt. Joel Pagdilao, started to deploy 70 percent of its 19,000-strong police personnel to strengthen security operations in the Metropolis.

“While the PNP is fielding additional foot and mobile patrolers, the public must also be wary to what is really happening in their communities and in the streets,” Marquez said as he urged the public to work with the police on its anti-criminality initiatives.

Even if the cases of robbery and theft in Metro Manila are on its downtrend, he wants the public to be more observant and alert at all times.

The PNP’s Oplan Lambat-Sibat, regularly audit crime incident reports at the police station level and use its data to further generate and identify “crime hot spots” and “crime patterns” where and when intensified police interventions are necessary.

These interventions include strategically-placed checkpoints, foot and mobile patrols, focused and intelligence-driven operations against most wanted persons and member of criminal gangs. (PNA) JBP/PFN