by Perfecto Raymundo, Jr./PNA
MANILA — Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Thursday hailed the city police’s efforts in ensuring the peace and order during the celebration of Christmas, saying the “zero-crime” rate in the city was due to the intensive police visibility among public places throughout the holiday.
Belmonte noted that the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) had applied proactive measures to secure the safety of the public which included the deployment of 2,287 policemen in malls, churches, transport terminals, and other massively visited places in the City.
“I want to recognize the efforts of our policemen, and of course our QCPD Director Joselito Esquivel for securing our people during the celebration of Christmas. They have been very hard-working despite the holiday that is why we should really commend them,” Belmonte said in a statement.
Esquivel announced on Wednesday that there were no crime reports on the eight major crimes — homicide, murder, physical injury, robbery, theft, rape, carnapping and motorcycle robbery– in the city.
He noted that this had been the 10th time the city recorded a zero-crime rate since he took over the post.
“They (QCPD policemen) were not able to get leaves and breaks during Christmas; they did not celebrate with their families because of the call of service, and for that, we should really admire their dedication to their duty,” Belmonte added.
The local official expressed her hope for a peaceful New Year celebration in the city, and that the same intensity of security measures will be maintained until the first few days of January 2019.
“I hope we can maintain this until the New Year’s Eve celebration na (which is) zero-crime rate din (also). I think it is possible, with our intensified police visibility, and now that our people are more vigilant,” Belmonte said.
