Cops-on-bikes to be deployed in streets of Manila
By Erma Edera, August 30, 2019, 10:51 AM
Police officers of Manila ride bicycles during a demonstration and training on how to repair bikes. The police officers were given bicycles to improve their mobility. PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI
The Manila Police District (MPD) will deploy policemen on bicycles to patrol the city’s streets, including tourist-frequented areas like Intramuros and Rizal Park.
According to MPD director Police Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr., 100 bicycle-riding police personnel are set to be deployed on the city’s streets, and are set to undergo five-day training that will be administered by police experts.
The Manila top cop said the training will include shooting techniques, first aid, negotiating obstacle courses and human-rights policies.
Danao said the bike patrollers will be a big help especially in pursuing suspects in congested areas in Manila.
“This will be used for deployment in crime-prone areas in the city where mobile patrols can’t enter. This will be a big help especially in entering the small alleyways in downtown area,” he said.
Police personnel will patrol in pairs wearing their type C uniform (blue shirt and shorts), reflective vests and helmets, he added.
This initiative was also done in Davao led by Danao, where he once served as the police chief.
On Thursday, MPD started the training of 80 policemen for its Bike Patrol Unit in Paco, Manila.
The 50 bicycles were donated by the Public Safety Savings and Loan Association Inc.