MANILA: The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will heighten police visibility in train stations in Metro Manila where 80 crime cases were reported since last year. NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. made the remark after Senator Raffy Tulfo earlier urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to deploy police officers in pairs and order them to board trains regularly. 'We need to validate that kasi (because) in our record, far below yung data (the data is far below). Maybe these cases have been reported to the honorable Senator Tulfo but these cases have not been reported to the respective police stations, agencies, especially in our MRT (Metro Rail Transit) or LRT (Light Rail Transit). These have a security team so actually, our police officers are outside the stations. Our police officers are at the entry and exit points of 45 stations," Nartatez said at the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas Forum at the Philippine Information Agency auditorium in Quezon City on Tuesday. He said some 30 0 police officers in groups of five with body worn cameras will inspect train stations. 'We are in coordination with MRT and LRT and we would also board trains, particularly to help in the identification and arrest of criminal elements committing illegal activities such as sexual harassment and theft. This way, we would also deter terrorism activities," he said. Meanwhile, Nartatez said the recent opening of classes in the regions was generally peaceful. "Actually wala tayong na-monitor, wala tayong (We did not monitor, we have no) recorded focus crime, particularly theft and robbery or kidnapping outside premises or the schools committed against students and teachers," he said. Some 1,322 public and private schools in Metro Manila opened classes for school year 2024-2025 on July 29. Meanwhile, another 220 public schools started classes on Aug. 5 after these were affected by the recent weather disturbances or used as evacuation centers. Source: Philippines News Agency