December 24, 1998
Web posted at: 8:22 p.m. EST (0122 GMT)

MANILA, Philippines (CNN) -- With a .44-caliber Magnum revolver at his side, one man this Christmas is going to find out who's naughty and nice in the capital of the Philippines. Santa Claus is coming to town, but now he works for the Manila police.

While Christmas may be the season for spending in the malls of the Filipino capital, it's also the season for pickpockets and bag snatchers.

"Santa wears a gun to send a message to criminals that we can catch them anytime, anywhere," says the gun-toting St. Nick.

Demonstrating his ability to be in several places at once, Sgt. Claus can be found in shopping centers across the city.

His elves are mostly young police academy graduates.

The undercover policemen are intended to be more approachable than average officers, but beware what they pack in their sacks. As well as the firepower, they also carry handcuffs and batons, ready to separate the bad from good.

Reuters contributed to this report.