PHILIPPINE NEWS SERVICE — THE database of all Most Wanted Persons in the country can now be accessed on the internet.
The Philippine National Police asked subscribers to feed them information that will lead to the capture of wanted criminals.
“We’re assuring that the identity of the sender of the information will be kept in utmost secrecy,” PNP chief Director General Avelino I. Razon, Jr. said.
The PNP Computer Service headed by Chief Supt. Teofilo S. Melliza, Jr. launched the Online Most Wanted Person Registry in line with efforts to tap modern technology in going after criminals.
“This 24-hour online site will be very effective in immediately alerting all police offices throughout the country as well as the public of the possibility that a person in their community is a most wanted person,” Razon said.
The site includes pictures, vital information of these fugitives and the monetary reward for any information that will lead to their arrest.
Topping the list is Jose Sarmiento Panlilio alias “Bong,” who is wanted for robbery and homicide with a P5 million bounty on his head. Panlilio is the primary suspect in the killing of brothers Ariel C Real and Albert C Gutierrez on July 15, 2003 in Calamba City, Laguna.
Melliza said the online registry is part of the PNP Modernization Program that includes innovation in preventing and resolving crimes through information technology.
“The public, especially those with access to the internet, are encouraged to regularly check the PNP Online Most Wanted Person Registry so they can be wary of these criminals and to report to the nearest police office any information they have on these fugitives”, Melliza said.
The online gallery of most wanted individuals can be accessed at http://www.pnp. gov.ph or by visiting the direct link (https://registry. pnp.gov.ph/ mwp).
Razon said the PNP leadership is doing its best to keep pace with technology, the very reason why he has ordered the fast-tracking of the full computerization program by making all police units and stations in the country IT-capable.
“We have to be at par with our Southeast Asian counterparts when it comes to information technology (IT) since this is the call of the times,” Razon said.
He ordered the designation of full-time officers to maintain and make current the PNP website apart from maximizing the use of existing technology such as Wi-Fi, Short Messaging System or SMS and Multi-Media Messaging or MMS Webcam, Voice-Over Internet Protocol or VOIP and ‘Closed-Circuit Television’ or CCTV system nationwide.
He also ordered all PNP national support units and regional police headquarters to have a working e-mail system which will be maintained 24/7.
“As much as possible, use e-mail instead of fax for a much faster, cheaper and reliable communication,” he said.
Razon also ordered all NSUs and RHQs to have a SKYPE Voice-Over Internet Protocol account to cut down on the cost of maintaining telephone lines.
The police chief admitted the need to upgrade the PNP-IT capability since one of the reasons why police operations are being hampered is the inability of the different police units to access and process vital information needed to do its functions.
Thus, he ordered the establishment of databases for warrants of arrest, registry, automated fingerprint identification system, vehicle identification management system and national crime information system.
“We can only beef-up our inter-connectivity once these databases have been built up,” he said.
Razon also wants all PNP units to be linked for easier access, processing and dissemination of vital information.