Philippines to intensify operation against criminals involved in shooting spree

The Philippine government ordered law enforcers Monday to intensify manhunt operation against those involved in the recent shooting spree in Quezon City in Metro Manila where at least seven people were killed.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. also urged the cooperation of the communities in the fight against crime.

"Our continuous directive to the Philippine National Police is to strengthen their operation against the perpetrators of these incidents of killing and criminality against our people," he told a news briefing at Malacanang, the presidential palace.

At least seven people were killed in separate incidents in Quezon City on Sunday. Investigators believed that the shootings were related to each other.

Coloma underscored the importance of public cooperation in fighting criminality.

"Community action and continued citizen vigilance are important, " he said.

On proposal to implement curfew to deter criminality, he said that it would be up to local authorities and it would depend on the situation.