Monday, August 18, 2008 'Texting': New weapon vs 'kotong' cops, criminals
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Watch out corrupt cops and criminals!
The Provincial Police Office (PPO) here launched Saturday a short messaging service (SMS)-based program that seeks to apprehend corrupt cops and enable speedy response to crime.
Provincial police officer-in-charge (OIC) Keith Singian led the formal launching of the twin programs "I-txt mo kay PD at Hepe-Aksyon Agad" and "PNP Text Anti-Kotong Project" at the Bale Katimawan (Freedom Hall) in the PPO compound here.
The said project was conceptualized by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in coordination with the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) and non-government organizations (NGOs). Despite the odds, it aims to pinpoint and apprehend corrupt police officers and government employees.
Although the program is not the first of its kind, Singian said it will serve as an addition and supplement to existing anti-criminality campaign. The PNP Text Anti-Kotong Project runs similar to that of the Text 2920 and Patrol 117, two government complaint and services programs.
The PNP Text Anti-Kotong Project only needs an SMS message or picture message sent to the numbers 0927-515-1515.
The complainant shall then receive a message regarding the result of the complaint.
However, the PNP said complaints should supply all the necessary details like name, time and location of incident for verification and investigation purposes.
Singian said the "I-txt mo kay PD at Hepe-Aksyon Agad" is a more personal approach in bringing the services of the PNP to the people of the province. In this said program, the cell phone number of Singian, along with different municipal police chiefs, are listed for easy access of complainants and for the fast reporting of crime incidents.
The PNP said complaints received by the office will remain confidential to fend off the worry of complainants for possible retribution.
"With this system in place, the community can effectively help us in our duty and somehow bring security from lawless elements," Singian said. (IOF)
