The attack on a Maguindanao del Sur mayor in Pasay City will serve as a test case for Police Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo as he officially assumed the post as director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
Datu Montawal Mayor Ohto Caumbo Montawal was wounded after two motorcycle riding men shot his car at the service road of Roxas Boulevard in Barangay 4, Pasay City on Wednesday night, Feb. 22.
As one of his first official acts, Okubo said he will order the five district directors of Metro Manila to conduct threat assessment initially for the 17 mayors in the National Capital Region in response to the order of national police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr who presided the turnover of command on Friday, Feb. 24, at the NCRPO headquarters.
“From there, the PNP will again have to conduct SIMEX (Simulation Exercises) on how to prevent cases of sudden incidents and eventually prevent criminal elements from doing so,” said Okubo.
Okubo has big shoes to fill especially on matters solving high-profile crimes as his predecessor, Police Maj. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, was able to help solve the killing of broadcast journalist Percy Lapid.
Aside from the case of Montawal, Okubo is also expected to pursue the operation against those who killed 34-year old New Zealander Nicholas Peter Stacey who was shot dead by two suspected robbers in Makati City on Feb. 19.
Pulis sa Barangay
As part of anti-crime strategies, Okubo said he would revive the Pulis sa Barangay program of the Philippine National Police (PNP) wherein at least two policemen were assigned to supervise anti-crime operations at the barangay level in their respective areas.
“We will be revitalizing this program in order for each community in Metro Manila to feel the presence of the police because this is actually a basic service for them,” said Okubo.
“This was effective in rural areas so we will try it here (in Metro Manila),” he added.
SAF background
Before his appointment as Metro Manila top cop, Okubo served as the director of the PNP’s elite special action force.
SAF is regarded as the most disciplined unit of the PNP.
Okubo is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1992.