Top officials of the Davao del Norte Provincial Highway Patrol Team (DNPHPT) vowed to further intensify their enforcement on traffic safety after being named the best in the country for 2022.

In an interview, Lt. Col. Surki Sereñas, the DNPHPT regional deputy chief, said they will also intensify general supervision of local police forces as regards to the enforcement of traffic laws.

“It has a big impact on our personnel to work hard. They have to keep up with the pressure since we are an awardee this year, and we hope to get the same award next year,” Sereñas said.

However, the police official admitted that they have a problem with the manpower since they only have six personnel.

“Despite our number, we are using available resources for us to accomplish our tasks,” he said.

He credited the award to their accomplishment to arrest numerous regional-level wanted individuals.

Apart from that, he said they are also active in collaborating with the local government units in supporting their various programs.

“It is the first time that the province received this national award,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sereñas said their concern is more on the major offenses like carnapping or the “talon”, “rentangay”, and “benta approve” schemes.

“Talon is the same with benta approval, they will buy a car in a fictitious name and they will sell it. Usually, victims of rentangay are people in the rental car business,” he said.

In the rentangay scheme alone, he said they filed more than 100 cases against fraudsters.

Sereñas urged the public to double-check on second-hand cars before buying one. (PNA)