A policeman-priest has lauded efforts by police in Manila’s Quezon City to crackdown on car crime, despite a recent upsurge in thefts and killings in the Philippine capital. Father Victorino Belangdal, chaplain of the Quezon City Police District Office, said he “salutes” the efforts of officers despite the flak they have been receiving in recent days for the rise in car thefts. Father Belangdal was speaking at a presentation of five suspected thieves earlier this week. “People expect too much from the police,” he said, adding that the arrest of the five suspects had boosted in the force’s morale. A recent spate of car-jackings and killings in Manila has led to calls for the reintroduction of the death penalty for heinous crimes. Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III has said he will study the matter in the wake of the calls from various groups. Capital punishment in the Philippines was abolished in 2006. The Church is an outspoken opponent of capital punishment in the country. Related reports Policeman-priest works to resolve conflictPriest urges calm after police-torture claims PL13215.1640