September 23, 2003
Department of Trade and Industry

DTI ties up with PNP, industry groups to strengthen anti-hijacking campaign

The Department of Trade and Industry signed a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine National Police in a bid to curb incidents of highway robberies and boost investor confidence in the country, DTI secretary Mar Roxas said.

“The MOA aims to further strengthen efforts to combat highway robberies posing as setback in the government’s efforts to boost economic activity in the country, hence, the PNP, DTI and private sector have banded together toward this goal,” Roxas said.

The MOA was likewise signed by representatives of the Philippine Association of Detective and Protective Agency Operators Inc. (PADPAO), Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, Inc. (JCCIPI), Semiconductor and Electronics Industries of the Philippines, Inc. (SEIPI), Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP) and Air Cargo Forwarders of the Philippines Inc.

“Each agency involved in this undertaking has been assigned tasks and functions to harmonize the anti-hijacking initiatives of the government. This is a clear manifestation that we are serious in securing our investors and assuring them a safe business environment,” said Roxas.

Under the agreement, the PNP will be the lead agency tasked with intelligence gathering, conducting intensive patrols in high risk areas, formation of quick reaction teams and coordination with other concerned agencies.

Police teams will be fielded in strategic areas along the North and South Luzon expressway and trade routes in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and National Capital Region. The PNP will likewise be authorized to mobilize barangay watchmen and company guards as blocking forces against robbers and help in other police matters. Checkpoints will also be furnished with state of the art road blocks to be used during pursuit operations.

The DTI, through its attached agencies, the Board of Investments (BOI) and Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) will encourage investors to cooperate with the police on the anti-hijacking campaign and ask employers to implement stricter policies with respect to hiring drivers and helpers.

The PEZA will likewise urge locators in economic zones to use Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology to better monitor their cargo.

Other measures to be adopted to deter highway robberies include the setting up of pre-determined rest areas for drivers, and implementation of security/color codes for trucks, among others.

In a previous meeting with the DTI and its attached agencies and businessmen, the PNP said it is zeroing in on the arrest of members of 14 identified hijack syndicates.

Some 115 cases of hijacking were reported last year and resulted in the loss of merchandise worth an estimated P142 million. Most of the hijacking incidents were reported in Central Luzon (70), Calabarzon (26) and National Capital Region (15).

“We have to ensure that the industry players in our country’s industrial zones are given protection from crimes such as hijacking. We need investments to generate jobs for our people and showing a hospitable environment to the investors is one way to realize that goal,” Roxas further said.