MANILA, Philippines — The arrest of a cellphone snatcher just three minutes after the crime was committed in Manila shows that the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) intensified visibility and quick response strategy is delivering results, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the swift arrest underscores the effectiveness of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive for stronger police presence in public spaces.

“Batid ang epekto ng pinaigting na police visibility at quick response time ng PNP nang madakip ang isang snatcher sa loob ng tatlong minuto matapos manghablot ng cellphone,” Castro said in a Palace briefing.

“Nagbunga ang quick response time ayon sa direktiba ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na siya namang pinatupad ni PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III,” she added.

The incident occurred Monday evening in Malate, Manila. Police were able to recover the victim’s stolen cellphone, gambling paraphernalia, and a pen gun allegedly used in robberies from the suspect.

In a separate development, Castro said PNP Chief Torre also ordered the relief of a chief of police in Rizal for alleged inaction in a theft case filed by a businessman. The police official reportedly dismissed the complaint and sent the victim home without proper investigation.

Torre emphasized that there is no room for incompetence and lethargy in the police force, Castro added.

“Ang mabilis na aksyon na ito ay patunay ng dedikasyon ng pulisya na magbigay ng konkretong solusyon sa paglilingkod sa taumbayan,” she said.