Col. Rainier Diaz, who was formally installed OIC of the Zamboanga City Police Office March 4, has unveiled a two-pronged approach or strategy to enforce the law, maintain peace and order, and ensure public safety and internal security with the support of the community.
“That is the mission of the PNP and I would like to accomplish that mission by implementing a two-pronged approach or strategy anchored on the Chief PNP’s five-focus agenda,” Col. Diaz said during the press briefing in City Hall Tuesday, March 5.
Diaz took over the helm of the ZCPO effective Wednesday, February 28, in place of Col. Alexander Lorenzo, who has been assigned at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
Diaz vowed that during his watch the ZCPO will launch an offensive operations with the objectives of disruptive, and preventive criminal elements.
Foremost, Diaz said, is the enforcement of special laws that include the campaign against loose firearms, which he attributed to the skyrocketing statistics of shooting incidents in the city.
“Pag nakuha natin yung baril, sigurado ako na mababawasan natin ang shooting incidents dito sa ciudad,” Diaz told reporters, as he also vowed to intensify the campaign against illegal drugs.
Illegal drugs trade is one of the root causes of theft, robbery and other crimes against property, according to the OIC of ZCPO.
Third of the five focus agenda is the strict enforcement of land transportation laws and regulations, including city ordinance on traffic, Dias said, stressing that based on statistics most criminals are using vehicles with expired registration, unregistered or carnapped motorcycles in the commission of crimes.
The fourth focus of the targeted agenda, Diaz said, is denying offenders the opportunity to engage in crimes versus property, the benefit derived from their unlawful activities through strict enforcement of PD No. 1612 or the anti-fencing law.
According to him, the anti-fencing law will discourage and prevent criminals to commit thievery or robbery, knowing that they have nowhere or nobody to sell their loots to.
“Pag walang bumibili ng mga stolen items, walang magnanakaw just like the supply and demand in drugs,” Diaz explained, adding that this time the local police will use their visitorial power over all junkshops, where most of stolen items are sold.
He urged junkshop owners in the city to discourage or stop buying suspicious items, otherwise they will be held liable for violation of the anti-fencing law once proven they bought stolen items. “This time, we will implement it properly.”
Another strategy, according to Diaz, is to determine the crime hotspots, and that would be the basis of deployment of police personnel. (Vic Larato)
(Source: City Government of Zamboanga Facebook page)