The City of Makati has purchased more than P93 million worth of assorted firearms and other crime-fighting equipment, which will be used by the local police in maintaining peace and order in the community amid the coronavirus disease outbreak.
The city government turned over to the Makati Police Department several assault rifles-reloading machines, including 100 units of Tavor Assault Rifle, 100 units of Galil Assault Rifle, three units of Galil Sniper Rifle, 45 units of KDS Tactical Gas Mask, 70 units of Meprolight Red Dot Reflex Sight Model, 35 units of Meprolight Night Vision Scope Model, and two units of Dillon Precision.
“We continue to give priority to the modernization of the local police force’s equipment. We know how crucial it is to enhance their crime-fighting capability especially during the pandemic, for the sake of our residents and all other stakeholders,” Mayor Abigail Binay said on Monday.
She added “We have to maintain discipline and obedience to the law as we gradually reopen businesses and strive to promote a healthy business environment for faster economic recovery.”
The city government also gave the local police a number of protective gear, including 3,390 pairs of combat shoes, 3,571 pairs of patrol shoes, 1,488 holster with rig, 691 sets of athletic uniforms, 2,142 hand cuffs, 1,339 belts, and 1,116 PNP bull caps.
In September 2019, Makati ranked as the 4th Safest City in Southeast Asia in a survey conducted by international online research group, Numbeo.
Based on Numbeo’s Safety Index 2019, Makati ranks as the fourth safest city in the region with a Safety Index rate of 59.48 points. The city’s improved regional ranking from fifth place in 2018 has also made it the second safest city in the country last year.
Mayor Binay attributed the city’s high safety index to the sustained efforts of the city government in partnership with the local police force to maintain peace and order, including increased police visibility made possible through additional mobile patrol vehicles provided by the city and other investments in disaster response and security.
The city has also been consistently implementing programs to improve the quality of life of residents and transients, she said.