The Philippine National Police plans to continue its Safer Cities Initiative in Metro Manila, with a nationwide rollout intended by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Police Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said Thursday.

Aberin, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office, said the program has helped reduce nighttime crime and curb minors roaming the streets.

“Karamihan po, marami po kasing nangyayaring krimen kapag gabi. Then with this kind of campaign po ay mababawasan definitely po yung crime incidents natin.,” he said, noting that parents should be grateful for the program’s role in disciplining youth.

“Dapat po ang unang magpasalamat po rito ay yung mga magulang po talaga. Kasi kahit papaano ay of course natutulungan natin sa pag-disiplina ang kanilang mga anak.”

Asked about the program’s consistency, Aberin emphasized that operations are ongoing.

“Tuwing gabi po ay talaga pong may operation po natin. At araw-araw po, may mga night and day duties naman po tayo at tuloy-tuloy po yung programa natin,” he said.

While the initiative is currently limited to Metro Manila, Aberin said its expansion nationwide is the goal of the Department of the Interior and Local Government under Secretary Remulla.

“Sinimulan lang po dito sa Metro Manila. Ang talagang intention po ng ating SILG at ating Chief PNP ay nationwide po ito. Kami lang po ang nagpanguna na nag-implement po ito.”

The Safer Cities Initiative aims to increase police visibility and enforce local ordinances to create safer communities while ensuring no abuse of authority.