Over 21K cops deployed to tighten security in Metro Manila — NCRPO

More than 21,000 cops were deployed to Metro Manila in a bid to boost police visibility in the capital region, especially in crowded areas.

On Tuesday, National Capital Region Police Office Police spokesperson Major Hazel Asilo said that 21,213 police personnel were deployed to populous places such as transportation terminals, malls, among others.

“Ito po yung mga areas na mas kailangan natin na magkaroon ng visibility, makita yung presence ng kapulisan, para po magkaroon sila ng mabilis na access po doon sa kanilang assistance na pwedeng ibigay kung kinakailangan po nila,” Asilo said at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing.

(These are the areas where we need more visibility, to see the presence of the police, so that the public can have quick access for assistance if they need it.)

The deployed policemen were divided into various assignments, some are assigned checkpoints, others are in beat patrols, and the rest can be found in outposts.

“Kasama din sa 21,000 is yung ating mga nagma-man ng checkpoints, yung nasa border control points. Sa beat patrols, yung nagbabantay sa ating mga terminal, MRT, LRT, at yung nasa mga fixed post po o yung mga makikita natin sa outposts po, sila yung mga kaagaran na pwede niyong lapitan kung kailangan niyo ng police assistance,” said Asilo.

(Also included in the 21,000 are those who man checkpoints, those at border control points. In beat patrols, they guard our terminals, MRT, LRT; and those at fixed posts or those we see at outposts, they are the ones you can immediately approach if you need police assistance.)

The NCRPO added that there are also cops assigned for administrative duties in the headquarters.

The NCRPO earlier reported that the index crime went down by 23.13% in Metro Manila in the past six months compared to the same period last year.

“From November 23, 2024 to May 23, 2025, the NCRPO recorded a staggering 23.13% drop in the total number of Focus Crimes compared to the same period the previous year,” the NCRPO said.

“This translates to 779 fewer incidents of murder, homicide, physical injuries, rape, robbery, theft, and carnapping,” it added.

Further, the Metro Manila police said the strengthened police visibility is here to stay.

“Wala po itong duration, nagsimula ito kahapon, at tuloy-tuloy na po yung ating gagawing police visibility,” said Asilo, noting that the cops will be on the ground starting 4 a.m.

(This has no duration, it started yesterday, and our police visibility will continue.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News