Informed that the traffic bureau has only 207 men, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim ordered Wednesday Manila Police District Chief Superintendent Gen. Roberto Rosales to add 100 men and deploy all 38 motorcycle cops to the major intersections during rush hours of 7 to 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 to 7 p.m.
The Mayor, during the annual command conference he called at his Oval Office, directed Col. De la Rosa to rectify a previous negative news report about the worsening traffic condition in the city under the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau and the need to bring back traffic aides of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority saying “the sole authority in maintaining peace and order, including traffic, is the Philippine National Police.”
The Mayor concurred with the observation of his consultant on Police Affairs, Col. Lazaro that “daily formations (flag ceremonies) are important in briefing the cops about the cases filed the previous day and what they have to work on during their duties and the need to revive the beat patrols in deterring the commission on crimes in the city.”
Mayor Lim also ordered the immediate adoption of three shifts (of 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) so that the cops will have time for their families. But he said that policemen must make sure to be on standby in cases of emergencies.
He also said that those detailed or assigned elsewhere outside the City, must not be entitled to the P2,500 per month allowance as they are not rendering services to the residents and constituents.
He also ordered the immediate removal of the police community precincts (PCPs) particularly beside Quiapo Church and the assignment of its 16 men to the Barbosa substation, where their services are more needed.
The Mayor emphasized his no-vendor policy in all parts of the city, on recommendation of retired Col. Carlos Baltazar.
He also reminisced that during the time of Manila’s Finest, the cops were not just involved in maintaining peace and order but were also on hand to render service to the people. “If you see a pregnant woman needing to be taken to the hospital, the mobile policemen must make sure the woman gets to the hospital fast,” the Mayor stressed.
He commended Gen. Roberto Rosales for having charged a police superintendent and a lady cop for being a 15-30 employee (coming to work only during paydays).
The Mayor also assured the policemen that the City Legal Office’s 22 lawyers will always be available to assist them in harassment and other charges that they will encounter in line of duty.