New Bacolod PNP chief sets up Facebook, Twitter accounts

In a bid to brings the local fight against crime to cyberspace, the new head of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bacolod City is planning to set up accounts on the social networking site Facebook and the micro-blogging site Twitter. Senior Superintendent Ricardo De La Paz said the police operations branch will maintain the page and post advisories, pictures and their accomplishments. In an interview with the Visayan Daily Star, he said that the Facebook page will feature tips on crime prevention and the pictures of Bacolod City’s most wanted personalities to help in their quick arrest. De la Paz said that they are now consolidating the pictures of the wanted personalities so they can start uploading them on Facebook. However, he clarified that only the pictures of wanted persons and not of arrested suspects will be uploaded, reasoning that uploading suspects' photos is in violation of their rights. The Facebook page will also be a venue where Bacolod residents can post comments, suggestion, complaints and report crime incidents. Late last year, the PNP in Laguna also set up its own Facebook page. De la Paz added that they also plan to create an official BCPO Twitter account. Meanwhile, he said they continue to intensify their crime prevention campaign through the police integrated patrol system. He said they will provide more police visibility and conduct saturation drives in crime-prone areas. De la Paz said the BCPO also beefed up security in banks, schools, call centers and other vital intuitions. Meanwhile, De la Paz said that residents can still inform the PNP of crimes via SMS, by texting 09394355711 for smart subscribers, or 09276981264 for Globe users. — TJD, GMA News