11 police stations in Cebu City affected by revamp

CEBU, Philippines - Eleven police station chiefs in Cebu City are subjects of a revamp following recent statistics of increased crime volumes in their areas of jurisdiction.

As of yesterday, two of the station chiefs – Police Chief Insp. David Señor of the Fuente Police Station and Sr. Insp. Allan Rosario of the Guadalupe Police Station – have been directed to switch posts.

The switch came after recent statistics showed that the crime volume in the area of the Fuente Police increased by 37% from the last quarter of the year 2013 while that of the Guadalupe Police Station decreased by 6.8% from the last quarter of 2013, said Supt. Arnel Banzon, the Deputy City Director for Administration.

Banzon said CCPO is always evaluating who is best to handle a police station, thus, a revamp is inevitable from time to time.

The area of responsibility of the Fuente Police Station covers General Maxilom Avenue where a number of clubs, bars and restaurants are located.

Despite the rise in the crime volume in, Banzon said Señor still did his job well, considering that his jurisdiction been problematic even prior he assumed post.

The FREEMAN learned from a source that two more station chiefs will be reassigned soon.

Meanwhile, at City Hall, the city government eyes partnering with the academe and other agencies to formulate “effective strategic programs” that can help law enforcement agencies fight criminality.

The CPPO reported a dramatic increase of crime rate by at least 22-percent or 771 street crimes during the first quarter of this year, a significant increase from the 477 from October to December in 2013.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella who heads the city’s Police Coordination Advisory Council said it is vital to tap different stakeholders considering that everyone is affected by criminality.

“We were planning to convene the academe composts of the guidance councilors in all private and public institutions in Cebu City for the convergence of ideas so that we can come with strategic programs to help law enforcement agencies in the fight against criminalities and illegal drugs,” Labella said.

“While it is true that the law enforcers’ primary task is to prevent, suppress and control crimes by all possible means, it must be emphasized that crime cannot be controlled without the genuine interest and participation of all government agencies, the schools, business and social organization,” he added.

He said these agencies will help the city government and law enforcement agencies to raise consciousness against crime.

“We can look into developing crime reporting system to encourage the public to report crimes,” he pointed out.

To help deter crimes, PCAC also aims to augment police force and visibility.

“We can look into community like mobilizing and empowering our tanod officials, looking into the possibility of training them or providing them with more security benefits…We can suggest more measures, step up and intervene or even correct police practices,” Labella said in a privilege speech.

The City Council yesterday requested CPPO to submit report on May 14 on crime analysis and comparative study of crimes against property, people, chastity including violence of anti-drug law and other index laws.

Meanwhile, the Association of Barangay Council is required to submit data about crime-related incidents in the barangay.

Likewise, the council has set a public hearing on May 19 with representatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Philippine Army of the Central Command to shed light on the city’s crime and security issues. — (FREEMAN)