The Philippine National Police (PNP) has launched a dedicated assistance hub for foreign nationals at Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz in Binondo, Manila on Wednesday, 7 May.

The initiative, called the Community Assistance Safety and Support Network (CASSN), aims to improve safety, provide support, and foster better communication with foreign nationals, particularly in areas with high tourist and business traffic like Binondo.

PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil emphasized the importance of language proficiency for officers assigned to the center. He said that CASSN personnel will undergo specialized training to learn basic international languages, especially Chinese, to help bridge communication gaps.

"In fact sinasabi ko nga yung mga police stations nakatago. Gusto namin mas malapit," Marbil said.

(In fact, I’ve been saying that police stations are often hidden. We want them to be more accessible.)

He also noted that the presence of Chinese-speaking police officers is essential in Binondo due to the significant number of visitors from mainland China.

“Dapat kung nandito ka sa Binondo, marunong kang magsalita ng Chinese kasi karamihan ng mga visitors natin ay galing mainland China,” he added.

(If you're assigned here in Binondo, you should know how to speak Chinese because most of our visitors come from mainland China.)

According to the PNP, the assistance center will serve as a platform for reporting crimes and suspicious activities, addressing concerns, and providing access to police services. The agency assured the public that individuals — whether local or foreign — will receive assistance to the best of their ability.