Manila: Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III has announced a new policy aimed at improving the response time of police officers to emergency calls. This initiative promises that law enforcement will arrive within five minutes when citizens dial 911 for assistance.

According to Philippines News Agency, Torre shared in a Palace press briefing that the strategy will initially be implemented in Metro Manila. This move aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to increase police visibility and effectiveness in preventing and solving crimes. Torre emphasized that the goal is to make emergency response faster and more reliable for the public.

In support of this initiative, Torre has sought collaboration from Metro Manila mayors, including San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora, who chairs the Regional Peace and Order Council-National Capital Region. The PNP chief also mentioned plans to deactivate certain police boxes and community precincts due to insufficient resources, redirecting officers to mobile patrols equipped with radios for better efficiency.

Torre reiterated that the five-minute response time is a commitment from the PNP, with plans to expand the program nationwide. The ultimate objective is to achieve a three-minute response time within three months, modernizing law enforcement and enhancing public safety.

To support this new strategy, an eight-hour shift for police personnel will be implemented in Metro Manila and other urban centers. Torre also noted that regional and provincial commanders will have the discretion to assess and adapt this initiative to their specific areas, ensuring that it meets local needs effectively.