Send troops to Cebu, council asks Duterte

CEBU, Philippines - With at least 80 policemen from Cebu City transferred somewhere else, the City Council is now asking President Duterte to deploy more military personnel here to replenish the shortage.

Last August 11, Councilor Dave Tumulak penned a letter addressed to the Office of the President citing the need to have more security personnel in the streets "for people to feel safe and secure." A copy of the council resolution approving the move was attached with the letter.

"Ang gipaabot nato karon kay ang official nga order nga gikan mismo sa Office of the President. Duna nata'y message nga na-receive last week nga papaabuton lang ang order," Tumulak told reporters yesterday.

Tumulak, chairman of the Committee on Peace and Order, met with Cebu City Police Office officials Saturday where he was informed that about 80 city policemen have been reassigned outside the city since Duterte assumed office.

"Gumikan sa cleansing operation nga gibuhat sa atong presidente, gumikan nga gidudahan sila nga drug protectors (Because of the cleansing being done by the president, because they were believed to be drug protectors)," Tumulak said.

Tumulak expressed apprehension that the lack of security personnel may be taken advantage by criminals, hence his request.

He said though the city policemen transferred will be replaced by new ones, the process will take time. This is why he also urged civilian volunteer groups, PNP, AFP and the religious sector to strengthen security in the city.

"Nabalaka ta kay basin unya simbako, mao ni hinungdan nga kining mga tawo nga nagmugna og mga illegal activities, basin unya'g modagsa ni sila, mosakay sa panahon nga nagkuwang ang atong kapolisan," he said.

He also said he has specifically requested that the military personnel to be deployed here use short firearms instead of long ones when roaming the streets.

Likewise, Tumulak called on the public not to rely solely on the uniformed men for their safety but instead to be security-conscious themselves.  (FREEMAN)