Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Barbers said the Philippine National Police (PNP) should be wary of crimes that potentially involve hired perpetrators, especially given the current economic hardship.

Barbers, chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, said the absence of livelihood as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic may have made criminals more desperate in finding ways to make a buck.

"Yes the police should be wary...life is now just worth a kilo of rice, or maybe even cheaper considering the lack of jobs and income," he said.

A recent incident that shocked the Mindanao solon for its sheer brazenness was Tuesday's ambush of 62-year-old Manila chief inquest prosecutor Jovencio Senados. The incident took place in broad daylight in the country's capital.

Manila Police District (MPD) homicide section chief, Police Capt. Henry Navarro had noted that Senados's assailants were “very swift" in their execution and were possibly trained in handling high-powered firearms.

While it is still inconclusive that hired guns carried out the killing, Barbers reckoned that it would be best if law enforcers remain on guard against similar incidents during the lockdown.

"This ambush, while unfortunate, should serve as a wake up call to the PNP. They should be on the lookout for similar or even smaller crimes. What we don't want is for the crime rate to surge in this time of COVID," he said.

Barbers aired a similar appeal to law enforcers over a month ago when he warned about the illegal drug trade's supposed huge comeback as most of the country transitioned from an Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) to the relatively more lax General Community Quarantine (GCQ).

“These drug syndicates have long prepared for this new normal and have planned out well their next moves amid the fear and confusion. While the people and our law enforcers are busy mapping strategies on how to avoid mass and activities, we might overlook the drug trade resumption," he said.