MANILA, Philippines--Expect Manila policemen to respond to an emergency within seven minutes or less.

This was the commitment given by officials and members of the Manila Police District now that their patrol cars are equipped with global positioning system devices or GPS that enable the quick dispatch of a patrol team that is nearest to the scene of a crime.

The GPS device uses satellite navigation to pinpoint the location of a vehicle. The location is then sent via text messaging to the MPD's District Tactical Operations Center, and the car's location is then viewed on a digitalized map in the DTOC's war room.

The GPS project, which will be formally launched Monday at the MPD headquarters, is just the start of the police force's modernization project, according to MPD Director Roberto Rosales.

Some 100 police mobile cars have already been installed with GPS devices, he said, adding that all roving police personnel were also equipped with new hand-held radios for quick and easy communication.

The system could also be used to ensure that Manila policemen are always within their respective areas of assignment.

"We could easily locate erring policemen, especially those who usually go somewhere else and abandon their posts. This will somehow help us ensure that they're doing their jobs while deployed on the streets," Rosales said.

The GPS also allows private individuals, business establishments, trucking services and private vehicles to use motion sensors, panic buttons and wireless monitoring linked to the MPD's Operations Center.