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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider The Chief PNP Contenders: The practical Aberin

The Chief PNP Contenders: The practical Aberin

Third of four parts

Published May 26, 2025 01:27 pm

At A Glance

  • "Crime prevention always starts with an effective enforcement of discipline and order in the community. As we continuously hunt lawless elements who threaten peace and security, we will also simultaneously address minor peace and safety issues to foster a highly favorable security landscape in Metro Manila,"

There is no need for rocket science formulas for peace and order solutions. 

For Police Maj. Gen. Anthony A. Aberin, the equation is simple: prevent crimes through 24/7 police visibility and community engagement, and arrest those who committed crimes in the soonest possible time. 

The practical approaches in crime prevention and crime solution, as well as common sense policing, are what the people need and expect from the police—and this is where the leadership of Aberin as director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is anchored.

A member of the PNP Academy Class of 1993, Aberin said police forces must be regularly supported with equipment and knowledge knm order for every unit to become an Able Force, in order for them to conduct effective efficient and Active operations, with the help of Allied partnerships with as many stakeholders in the community. 

Well, that was like a tongue-twister but let us take a closer look and simplify things using the tried-and-tested simple formula that Aberin implemented in the past six months in Metro Manila.

Since protection of the people through crime prevention is one of the main mandates of the police, what Aberin did is to strictly implement all ordinances in the 17 local government units of Metro Manila.

From arresting those drinking and smoking in public and those who roam around topless up to littering and even using karaoke beyond the allowed hours, police forces in Metro Manila went on a roll and as a result, more than 114,000 violators were arrested in the National Capital Region in the first 24 days of January this year.

These aggressive campaigns resulted in Metro Manila LGUs earning over P42 million in fines for the same period.

The strict implementation of the ordinances was based on the concept of the Broken Windows theory. 

Proposed in 1982, the “Broken Windows Theory” basically means that more serious crimes like robbery, murder and other violent actions start from simple misdemeanors and non-violent breaking of rules and regulations—and thus, must be acted upon in the soonest possible time. 

It stemmed from an analogy that small cracks in the windows could lead to a bigger problem in the entire house or building if not attended to. 

Aberin said that such a strategy has been instrumental in revolutionizing law enforcement by emphasizing capability building, proactive operations, and strengthening community ties.

“Crime prevention always starts with an effective enforcement of discipline and order in the community. As we continuously hunt lawless elements who threaten peace and security, we will also simultaneously address minor peace and safety issues to foster a highly favorable security landscape in Metro Manila,” Aberin said.

These campaigns have been complemented with the operation to account for all wanted persons in Metro Manila.

Since assuming his post, Aberin personally supervises the regular update on the wanted lists from the NCRPO level down to the station level. And as a result, all 10 most wanted in Metro Manila were arrested in just a span of one week in February this year.

The reason is simple, according to Aberin: The arrest of wanted persons is crime prevention itself since some of them are repeat offenders and the arrest itself would send a message to the criminal elements of the certainty of punishment— and for the community to trust the police. 

In the past six months since assuming the top NCRPO post, the already declining crime rate in Metro Manila further went down by 23 percent.

 A native of La Union, Aberin is a known disciplinarian and in fact, he recently subjected at least 28 police commanders in Metro Manila for failing to properly deploy their personnel, abandoned police outposts and assistance desks, and after catching some cops playing cellphone games during his series of surprise inspections during wee hours.

Aberin is a well-rounded officer as he was assigned in various posts—from aviation to maritime and even as top cop of Tawi-Tawi province before he was named regional director of Central Visayas and later the Metro Manila top cop.

He is a recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, including a United Nations medal in 2003.

Will his practical, and tried-and-tested formula for effective law enforcement impress President Marcos?

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