Two robbery incidents involving Japanese citizens in the past three months were brought to Makati City prosecutors.

In an interview, acting Makati Police chief Col. Reycon Garduque said robbery cases were filed against suspects in the robberies on April 14 and May 4.

The robbery case against alias "Jomari," the suspect in the April 14 incident, and arrested the next day, was filed on April 22. On the same day of filing, the suspect underwent inquest.

Meanwhile, suspects who were not named behind the robbery last May 4 have not been arrested, but complaints were filed on May 20.

As the acting Makati police chief, Garduque has fortified the existing measures of the Makati police to mitigate robberies and other incidents targeting Japanese citizens by fielding more cops.

Fixed visibility points were placed along Chino Roces Avenue, Padre Burgos Street, and Kalayaan Avenue, where assigned policemen should stay in the area, especially during rush hour.

Painclothes policemen were deployed to blend with the public and serve as lookouts on the site.

"This intervention was successful as they were able to respond immediately to the incident that happened along Antonio Arnaiz Avenue six days ago," Garduque said, pertaining to the recent shooting incident whose suspects were two allegedly armed Chinese men.

Garduque also continued Oplan Sita, one of their regular preemptive measures, in which policemen conduct random checking of motorcycle drivers about their route and belongings.

"These interventions exist, but not all places are being covered (for monitoring). We really allotted (more personnel) to those areas as they are tourist areas with lots of Japanese, Korean, and other nationalities," Garduque said.

Garduque is communicating with the Japanese Embassy through the Chief of Security Section, Haruka Nishimura, who had a courtesy call last June 25.

"If ever Japanese nationals encounter problems or crimes, he told us to help and assist them," Garduque said.

Garduque, who replaced Col. Jean Dela Torre and assumed the post last June 14, will meet with a group of Japanese businessmen in the city this month. Kate Christian Ravelo/DMS