Police office receives 20 mountain bikes, 10 handheld radios

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte -- Twenty units of mountain bikes and 10 units of handheld radios were recently turned over to the Police Regional Office (PRO) in Eastern Visayas for its anti-crime operations.

Police Chief Superintendent Elmer Ragadio Soria, Eastern Samar director, said the newly donated equipment were meant to advance police capability against crimes being committed on streets in Tacloban City and neighboring towns, and enhance police visibility especially with the forthcoming celebration of the Leyte Gulf Landing on October 20.

“Using bicycles is an effective crime-fighting tool because of its maneuverability on crowded sidewalks and its ability to navigate narrow driveways over cars and similar vehicles. On the other hand, handheld radio provides operatives with an instant communication resulting in a quicker response time,” he said.

Soria said the mountain bikes, a donation by the Public Safety Savings and Loan Association Inc. or (PSSLAI), will be utilized to patrol city streets, highways, nearby schools, financial and commercial centers in Tacloban City and the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park in Palo, Leyte.

“Aside from city streets, the policemen who will be assigned to use these bikes will also be deployed to guard nearby schools and highways to help prevent crimes from taking place,” he added.

In line with the Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (Top Cop) program, Soria also recognized the uniqueness of police bike patrol for the protection and safety of tourists, as well as in securing tourist destinations in the region, moreso with the forthcoming Leyte Gulf Landing celebration, which is expected to boost tourist arrival in Eastern Visayas.

“We expect an increased tourists arrival in the region next month so this is a part of our stepped up effort to ensure the protection of local and foreign travelers and to help sell the DOT slogan “It’s more fun in the Philippines,” Soria said.

The formal turnover of the 20 units of mountain bikes and 10 units of Kenwood VHF handheld radios was held during the Monday flag raising Ceremony at the PRO Matapat Hall, with PSSLAI president and chief executive officer Retired Police Director Ernesto V. Belen.

The turnover was followed by the blessing of the equipment by the regional chaplain, Police Chief Inspector Rev. Fr. Apolinario Abing Jr.

The PSSLAI is a non-stock, non-profit savings and loan association for the Philippine National Police (PNP) that began its operations on July 1, 2003. Its main objective is to provide PNP uniformed and non-uniformed personnel investment opportunities and immediate access to funds and help them cope with rising needs of daily living. The donation is part of the association’s corporate social responsibility. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)