Rail Police Eyed
Ref: Atty. Hernando T. Cabrera
LRTA-MRT3 Spokesperson
09209703772
Evelyn E. Paragas
Manager, Public Relations Division
854-0452/ 506-6129/ 0917-8725-631
The Light Rail Transit (LRT) Authority and the National Capital Region Police Command (NCRPO) are mulling over establishing a Rail Police Command, patterned after the Philippine National Police's Aviation Security Command (AVSECOM) and the Maritime Command (MARICOM).
This idea was brought up in a meeting between LRTA Administrator Rafael S. Rodriguez and NCRPO Police Director Allan Purisima to set up new security measures in the metro rail system to protect the millions of daily commuters.
LRTA is setting up new surveillance and communications systems including additional CCTV and radio communications equipment. These facilities will be linked to NCRPO’s command center in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City.
Meanwhile, NCRPO assured LRTA of the deployment of adequate police personnel in all LRT stations to augment the current LRTA security force. This will serve as a deterrent to criminal and terroristic activities along the rail system. LRTA operates the LRT Line 1 which spans from Monumento, Caloocan City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City, and LRT Line 3 from Marikina to Manila.
"We are grateful to Director Purisima for providing this institutional partnership which will hasten our emergency response capabilities to address untoward and unexpected incidents along the revenue lines," Rodriguez said.
LRTA also agreed during the meeting to provide a building for the PNP task force at its LRT Line 1 depot in Pasay City.