By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) is crafting measures to further strengthen requests for assistance and other crime-related concerns of the ride-hailing services community.
In a statement Tuesday, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. acknowledged the need to strengthen the protection of the Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) partners due to the risk they face every day that comes with the nature of their job.
“We have to maintain a strong partnership and ensure a reliable communication line for the safety and peace and order-related concerns of those in the TNVS community,” he said.
Nartatez issued the statement following the March 11 robbery and fatal stabbing of a TNVS driver in Taguig City, video of which has gone viral on social media.
Investigators tagged the person who booked the driver as the mastermind who allegedly connived with three accomplices to carry out the crime.
Two of the alleged accomplices were arrested a few hours after the crime and are now facing robbery with homicide charges at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. A minor linked to the primary suspect was turned over to police by the parents.
In a phone interview with reporters, Taguig City police chief Col. Julius Añonuevo said the minor was identified through CCTV footage.
“The last one, which we arrested, was a minor. He was surrendered by the parents to us following our backtracking of CCTVs in the area,” Añonuevo said, adding the two other arrested suspects were identified also through CCTV footage.
Follow-up operations are ongoing to locate the primary suspect, reportedly a leader of a group whose modus is to steal motorcycles.
“Based on our investigation, we found that the main suspect, who was still subject of our manhunt operation, is the one who booked the rider,” Añonuevo said.
“We can also consider this as case solved as we arrested three suspects already.”
Nartatez said the TNVS community is a partner in peace and order by serving as eyes and ears on the streets on criminal incidents and against criminal elements.
He said the PNP has been intensifying patrols and presence in high-risk areas as part of the security measures.
“We are also strengthening our coordination with force multipliers like the barangay tanods and volunteers to ensure that every corner is monitored, especially during the ‘dead hours’ of the night,” he added.
The PNP is also coordinating with TNVS platforms in coming up with measures to flag suspicious bookings and provide safety protocols to their drivers. (PNA)
