Around 240 policemen will be deployed in populated and crime-prone barangays in Metro Manila in a bid to prevent criminal elements from pulling off illegal activities and assist the national government in the delivery of basic services down to the grassroots level.

And it is not the usual deployment to maximize police presence since the policemen will be required to immerse in the barangays they would be assigned to for at least six months, according to NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo.

These 240 policemen will be the first batch of Metro Manila cops who will be deployed in large and crime-prone areas in the National Capital Region as part of the NCRPO's Revitalized Pulis sa Barangay program.

“It is a six-month immersion program where trained policemen will be deployed and live with the constituents of identified barangays in the National Capital Region to render community services, help residents avail government programs, and assist in providing other public services as may be deemed needed in the community,” said Okubo.

The official explained that the move is part of his flagship program dubbed as Revitalized Pulis sa Barangay (R-PSB), which he believes as an effective strategy not only to prevent crime but also win the hearts and minds of the people in Metro Manila.

Initially, Okubo said a total of 240 policemen will be deployed, adding that those chosen will be subjected to a seven-day training program for them to be well-versed on what to do once they are deployed.

“The deployment of the 240 policemen from the five police districts and Regional Mobile Force Battalion of the NCRPO will increase in the coming days,” Okubo told the Manila Bulletin in an interview.

Based on the protocol, those who would be deployed to the barangays will be the partners of the barangay officials on peace and order and in the delivery of the basic services to their respective constituents.

The selection of the barangays where the policemen would be deployed, according to Okubo, depends on the density and frequency of crime based on the data of the NCRPO as well as the recommendation of the district directors and station commanders in Metro Manila.

He said the illegal drugs affectation, as well as barangays with special concerns such as presence of communist rebels, were also factored in during the selection process of the deployment.

The presence of policemen in every barangay has been initiated in the past but the role of the policemen is limited only to police visibility and being point person of the police on peace and order matters.

This time, Okubo said, it will be different with a more personal approach on the part of the policemen who would be deployed.

“The R-PSB is a six months immersion program. You need to understand the functions of our partner national agencies to address the issues and concerns of the community to do community or government services leaving behind the usual peace and law enforcement functions,” said Okubo.

“We are going out of our confined box to serve with our hearts,” he added, as he emphasized that the program is in consonance with the Peace and Security Framework initiated by national police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr.

In his speech during the opening ceremony of the R-PSB, Okubo warned the policemen from being involved in illegal activities.

“You have to give your best service to the PNP and avoid being involved in any illegal activities. Let’s serve this organization with pride and loyalty,” said Okubo.