10 crime-prone Manila streets on tight watch

MANILA, Philippines—Business groups have launched a neighborhood crime-watch program to be tried out in 10 crime-prone streets in Manila following the signing of a two-year agreement.

The Streetwatch program, initiated by the Foundation for Crime Prevention (FCP), aims to establish an alert system by training security officers and community volunteers on crime prevention and disaster preparedness.

The training program has started with 90 streetwatchers for the following pilot streets in the Ermita and Malate districts: Mabini, Adriatico, Padre Faura, Kalaw Avenue, Bocobo, UN Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, Pedro Gil, M.H. del Pilar and Taft Avenue.

“We want to provide security and safety in the area so that the residents, stakeholders and domestic and foreign tourists can feel comfortable [and] safe whenever they walk in the streets of Ermita-Malate,” Michelle Pe, president of the Ermita-Malate Business Owners Association (Emboa), said.

The crime-watch program which supports the revival of the Ermita-Malate area was led by FCP in partnership with Emboa, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Inc. and Patrol 117 of the interior department.