Pimentel warns of worsening crime condition;
asks police to arrest killers of Swiss nationals in Mindanao

Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel lll today said the rising spate of crime committed in broad daylight has fuelled public perception of a worsening law and order condition in the country.

He issued the warning following the recent cold bloodied murder of two elderly Swiss nationals by unidentified gunmen last Sunday afternoon at a beach resort in Opol, Misamis Oriental.

Pimentel said the brutal gun-slaying of Baltazar Johann Ernie, 78, and Robert Loever, 67, mirrored the perceived breakdown in law and order despite police reports of a lower crime statistics this year.

But murder and homicide incidents in the first six months of the year, based on police data, have already breached the 10,000-mark, spiked by high-profile killings involving some members of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

He asked PNP officials, headed by Police Director General Allan Purisima, to launch a massive manhunt on the suspects to allay the fear of the people on police failure to arrest the rise in criminality.

The Mindanao senator said there is an urgent need for the PNP to step up its anti-crime campaign, like duplicating its new strategy, "Oplan Lambat," piloted in Quezon City recently that drastically reduced crime incidents.

He also encouraged local government units to improve their street lighting, set up CCTV cameras in key sites, increase people's participation in law and order campaign, and redouble police patrolling in high-risk areas.

Pimentel said it is incumbent on police authorities to involve the community in their anti-crime campaign, including joined efforts against the proliferation of illegal drugs, illegal gambling and theft and robbery.