The swift arrest of a cellphone snatcher in Manila just three minutes after the crime was committed proves that the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s strategy of police visibility and quick response time is working.

The quick response underscored the direct impact of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order for enhanced police presence in public places.

“Batid ang epekto ng pinaigting na police visibility at quick response time ng PNP nang madakip ang isang snatcher sa loob ng tatlong minuto matapos manghablot ng cellphone,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a Palace briefing on Wednesday.

“Nagbunga ang quick response time ayon sa direktiba ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na siya namang pinatupad ni PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III,” she added.

According to Castro, the police recovered from the suspect the victim’s cellphone, gambling paraphernalia, and a pen gun allegedly used in robberies.

The snatcher was arrested Monday evening in Malate, Manila.

In a related development, Castro said Torre also relieved a chief of police in Rizal for his inaction in a theft case filed by a businessman.

Torre found out that the chief of police did not take appropriate action, but instead dismissed the case and sent the businessman home.

Castro said the PNP Chief emphasized that incompetence and lethargy have no place in police service.

“Ang mabilis na aksyon na ito ay patunay ng dedikasyon ng pulisya na magbigay ng konkretong solusyon sa paglilingkod sa taumbayan,” Castro said. | PND