The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) is urging the public to participate in crime control and prevention as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a spike in crime prevalence and lawlessness.
NAPOLCOM Commissioner Vitaliano Aguirre II said families, schools, private businesses, civic groups and public agencies are potential assets and valued allies in preventing crime and promoting a better functioning criminal justice system.
“We all need to adjust to the challenges of the times. When obstacles present themselves, we must strive and be open to learning new things so we can continue to be relevant. Our volatile world calls for an agile response,” Aguirre pointed out in his speech during the kick-off ceremony for the 27th National Crime Prevention Week (NCPW).
He cited the need for community-oriented policies to provide a mechanism for government agencies, local chief executives, police and members of the mobilized community to cooperate, coordinate and collaborate for the effective delivery of basic services to the citizenry.
At the same time, the NAPOLCOM noted that cases of murder and homicide declined which can be attributed to continuous and sustained police operations even during quarantine periods.
However, Aguirre pointed out that since quarantines restricted the people’s movement, violence shifted from the streets to the homes, putting women and children at risk to violence and abuse.
“Even as crimes have been observed to decrease because of the community quarantine, it has also enabled new illicit markets to thrive. This prompts us to focus our efforts towards communities by providing improved police presence and visibility in residential areas,” he stressed.
He said these crimes necessitate a review and revisiting of the strategies and programs of the PNP against criminality as the current crisis resulted in new challenges.
Also on an upward trend as noted by NAPOLCOM were incidents of rape, theft, physical injuries, carnapping and violations under resistance and disobedience to a person in authority.
Aguirre also highlighted that cybercrime incidents are increasing as the shift in the mode of communication caused by the pandemic provided criminals opportunities to find potential victims online.
“These conditions are signals for us to step up and look for dynamic ways to combat online crimes. By large, government agencies have maximized the use of technology to continue providing services and fulfilling their duties and responsibilities as public service frontline desks have made and expanded their online presence,” he suggested.
Aguirre called for immediate action against these crimes in the hope that the NCPW celebration will help achieve gains in this direction.
“The choice is fairly simple: either we stagnate or take on the challenges to improve our capacities as servants and protectors of our people. Needless to say our sworn duty to protect the lost, the last, and the least should never waver,” he stressed.
With the theme “Komunidad at Pamahalaan Magtulungan, Krimen, Korapsyon at Pandemya Labanan”, the NCPW observance focuses on strengthening the partnership between government agencies and communities in fighting crime and corruption amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (PIA-3)
