Cops heighten watch vs burglars in Ondoy-hit areas

Amid complaints of burglary and looting there, the Philippine National Police has heightened its watch in areas hit hard by tropical storm "Ondoy" (Ketsana). PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa ordered police visibility beefed up particularly in the cities of Marikina and Pasig in Metro Manila and Cainta town in Rizal province. "Meron na kaming nilagay na temporary outpost sa affected areas especially sa Provident ... Nananawagan kami sa ating mamamayan na pumunta doon (We have placed temporary outposts in affected areas, particularly in Provident Village in Marikina City. We ask the public to go there and file their complaints)," Verzosa said in an interview on dzBB radio. Large portions of Marikina, Pasig and Cainta remain under water. Residents there are still waiting for relief goods to be delivered to affected sites. At the same time, Verzosa said the police is checking reports that some thieves had taken metal scraps, including parts of pink fences of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and are now selling them. A number of MMDA pink fences were destroyed at the height of Ondoy's onslaught in Metro Manila over the weekend, particularly along the stretch of Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. As an added security measure, Verzosa said they have tapped village officials to coordinate with the nearest station in acting on cases of burglary and looting. The PNP has also set up information and inquiry assistance desks in front of police stations in areas hit by Ondoy. - GMANews.TV