Kidnappings frequent! Police initiate 24-hour patrols, bolster security defenses in Chinatown and BGC

The kidnapping and ransom case involving Guo Congyuan has shocked Philippine society and directly triggered a major police operation. On April 16th, Major General Yaberen, the commander of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), personally announced that round-the-clock police forces, including plainclothes and uniformed officers, have been deployed in areas with high concentrations of foreigners such as Chinatown, BGC, and Makati, implementing 24-hour continuous patrols to significantly raise the security level.

The focus of this patrol operation primarily covers areas with a high density of Chinese residents and offices: Binondo, Malate, Makati, and Taguig Global City (BGC), all of which have seen a significant enhancement in security forces. The police explicitly stated that in addition to deterring criminals, they also aim to provide a "visible safety" to the foreign community.

Of particular interest is the upcoming establishment of the "Chinese Help Desk," with the first station set to be located in Binondo. This means:

📍 Chinese can soon report crimes and communicate issues in their own language

📍 Barriers between police and the public will be broken down

📍 The efficiency in handling cases of kidnapping, fraud, and property infringement targeting the Chinese is expected to improve

This is the first time in recent years that the Philippine police have publicly established a special communication mechanism for the Chinese, in response to public pressure from the Guo Congyuan case and acknowledging the Chinese community as a focal point in the security landscape of the Philippines.

Key points to watch next include:

1️⃣ Whether the "Help Desk" can be effectively implemented or remains just a plan on paper?

2️⃣ Whether plainclothes patrols can truly uncover the chains behind kidnappers?

3️⃣ Whether the impact on parks/immigrant communities will expand?

🔍 For the Chinese in the Philippines, this is not just a "security news" but also a clear signal:

We are being targeted, and protection and scrutiny are proceeding simultaneously.

If you are in BGC, Makati, or Binondo, be extra vigilant in the coming days and consider actively keeping up with the security dynamics or the new service desk locations in your area. Don't wait for something to happen before seeking help; learn to use these mechanisms to protect yourself.