SENATOR Ferdinand Marcos Jr. challenged Wednesday Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ricardo Marquez to find more effective ways to address rising criminality in the country.
Marcos issued the call following a report by the Directorate for Investigation and Detection Management of the PNP that there were 885,445 cases of crimes recorded from January to June this year, higher from 603,085 cases during the same period in 2014.
The senator said he was alarmed by the big jump in the crime incidents.
“Could it be that criminal elements have increased? Or the efforts of the policemen have decreased? What have the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) and the PNP been doing?” Marcos said, noting that he still believed that the PNP will be able to carry out its mandate to protect the people.
Marcos said Marquez, who is just two and a half months in his position as police chief, has to do something to address worsening criminality and protect the people, whether they are in the streets or inside their homes.
“Even if there is no traffic jam, even if your travel time is fast, that is non-sense if you will be held up in the jeepney or bus, if your car will be car napped, and if your laptop that you parents bought for you, allowance from your parents or from your salary will be taken by offenders,” the senator said.
Marquez earlier fielded additional foot and mobile patrollers to help ensure peace and order in communities. He also asked the public to be on guard against criminals. (Sunnex)