By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA
MANILA – Number of crimes committed by motorcycle riding suspects (MRS) has significantly decreased in Metro Manila in 2018, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) announced on Monday.
NCRPO chief, Director Guillermo Eleazar said the MRS-related crimes dropped by 53 percent from 853 in 2017 to 400 last year attributing it to intensified operations against motorcycle-riding criminals.
He said MRS-related murder cases have the highest decline of 85.21 percent from 338 in 2017 to only 50 in 2018 while robbery incidents decreased from 224 to 186 (16.96%) and physical injuries from 128 to 75 (41.41%).
The NCRPO, he said, ‘cleared’ a total of 167 cases compared to 159 in 2017 while ‘solved’ cases reached 120, higher than the 84 in 2017.
“Ang point natin malaki binaba pero galingan natin yung imbestigasyon (My point is it significantly decreased but we will improve further our investigation,” Eleazar said.
Eleazar said the police have been giving much attention in solving crimes committed by motorcycle riding-in-tandem suspects.
He said the present leadership of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde has launched ‘clean rider’ campaign where sticker is issued to a “clean” motorcycle rider or no record of crime.
“Itong motorcyle riding in tandem suspects ay matagal na natin concern (This motorcycle riding in tandem suspects have long been a cause for concern),” Eleazar said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency.
Aside from gun for hire criminals, Eleazar said the NCRPO has also intensified the campaign to neutralize ‘criminal gangs’.
