Police boxes to be shut down —Torre

Police boxes and police community precincts (PCP) will be deactivated as cops are expected to receive requests for response through 911 calls, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Nicolas Torre III said on Wednesday.

“Unang sistema kaagad nito ay baka may makita kayo na mga police boxes, PCP na nasasarado na. Isasarado natin kasi kung wala rin lang imbestigasyon na nangyayari diyan sa mga presintong iyan,” Torre said in a Palace briefing.

(The first system is that you might see police boxes, PCPs that are already closed. We will close them considering there is no investigation happening in those precincts.)

“Ang pulis diyan ay diyan lang. Naghihintay ng ating mga kababayan na tatawag at hihingi ng responde at sila ay magreresponde at dadalhin nila sa kanilang mga headquarters iyong mga kasong iyan. Hindi doon sa police boxes na iyon,” he added.

(The police are just there. They are waiting for our countrymen to call and ask for a response and they will respond and they will bring those cases to their headquarters. Not in those police boxes.)

Torre pointed out that there is no equipment, materials, and facilities for investigation in police boxes and PCPs.

Torre said the police officers will be deployed on the streets and roads instead. They are expected to receive calls through the 911 system and will respond within five minutes. 

“Huwag na kayong maghanap ng pulis sa presinto sapagkat ang pulis ay nasa inyo nang mga telepono. Dial 911, darating sila, darating kami sa loob ng limang minuto,” he said.

(Don't look for the police at the precinct because the police are already on your phones. Dial 911, they will come, and we will be there in five minutes.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News