Last 8 December, I was at a District Mobile Force checkpoint under the Eastern Police District (EPD) located at Marcos Highway at the boundary of Marikina City and Cainta, Rizal to cover a police night shift for a course assignment. This site was originally built under the now defunct National Anti-kidnaping Task Force (NAKTAF) but is now under the EPD, known as one of the peaceful police districts in Metro Manila.

PO1 Danny Rito, the team leader, and PO1 Ryan Taguimacon, 33 and 28 years old respectively have been manning the night shift at this checkpoint for a number of months already. Originally, there were seven officers but due to requirements from other police stations within the district, they were “download,” a term to mean reassigned, that only four were left and equally divided into two shifts, six days a week.

The police officers’ typical shift may address complaints and problems within the entire stretch of the highway ranging from vehicular accidents, directing traffic in case of traffic jams, hold ups, pickpockets and other thefts, bar fights and sometimes, altercations between people. But most of the time, it’s spent monitoring the radio for advisories and reports and updating headquarters. During lean nights, the TV keeps them company.

Note: My thanx to Dennis Rito who referred me to his brother.

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