“Isumbong ni CD” program: Cops engage Cebuanos in social media

CEBU, Philippines — In less than 24 hours after the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) launched a social media program, at least a dozen individuals have dropped their complaints and queries.

CCPO spokesperson Senior Inspector Arieza Otida said that after they launched the "Isumbong ni CD" program, 13 persons had connected with them through the Facebook page.

She said the persons who messaged them asked for more information on the city ordinances enforced by the police in line with the Oplan Kalsada or the anti-loitering campaign of the administration.

Otida said they haven't received any reports or information yet for those who have involvement in illegal drugs.

"Most of the queries are for city ordinances, og unsa ang legalities during sa arrest nato sa Oplan Kalsada, natubag ra man nato dayon diha-diha. So far kanang uban kaso hilabi na drugs, wala pa kaayo ta'y nadawat," Otida said.

She said the program is a way to aggressively increase police engagement, not just on the streets but also through online, in order to cope with the fast-changing habits of the community when it comes to communicating.

She reminded though that if there are pressing situations, such as a scuffle, which may have resulted to physical injuries or grave threats, it would be better to call the nearest police station.

As of now, what the program could cater are complaints, commendations, directly observed by the community that needs proper police attention, such as erring policemen not doing their job properly or dark corners that needed police visibility for crime prevention.

"Those cases that need validations, mga complaints and comment if not commendations sa police officers, or kanang pulis nga di maayo ang binuhatan, but as to alarma gani, pwede ma-contact sa mas duol nga stasyon," she said.

The public can either call or chat the authorities through "Itug-an ni CD" mobile numbers 0966-465-2556 or 0918-268-2846.

The cops manning the hotlines and social media page are given a 12-hour window to update complainants of the specific actions taken.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña directed the newly installed Cebu City Police Office director Senior Supt. Royina Garma to help implement the existing ordinance specifically the anti-vandalism.

This order came after Garma paid a courtesy call to the mayor Friday morning.

Last July 2, she officially assumed office as the new CCPO director, replacing former director Joel Doria.

Garma told reporters that Osmeña wants to maintain a surrounding which is peaceful and orderly. That is why the mayor is asking the police authorities to really implement the existing legislative measures.

"We will also strictly enforce other ordinances, even yung other units will be mobilized. We will also check the anti-vandalism ordinance. We will strictly enforce it also," she said.

Osmeña has been very vocal that he wants to reduce vandalism of structures in the city. In fact, he directed his special assistant, lawyer Misallee Tejano, to make an amendatory ordinance regulating the use of aerosol sprays.

The city has an existing Anti-Vandalism Ordinance of 2018 which penalizes individuals who will damage or deface the structure of buildings.

Under the penal provisions, an administrative fine of P1,000, community service for five days and restoration of the property are imposed for the first offense.

For the second offense, a fine of P3,000, community service for 10 days and restoration of the property will be slapped to the offender.

For the third offense, a P5,000 fine and 30 days imprisonment, depending on the gravity of infraction, will be imposed.

Aside from this, Garma said the mayor wanted the police authorities to respond to all reports coming from the public even to petty crimes.

Osmeña earlier said that it is important that law enforcers will be active in addressing criminality in the city.

The mayor also ordered Garma to deploy cops in public places, such as malls, terminals, ports, among others.

"Yung quality service, gusto niyang ma-deliver talaga sa Cebuanos. So he doesn't care na mataas yung crime rate so long as kahit napaka simpleng kind of infractions, he wants the police to respond. So I told the mayor that we will be mobilizing more police natin sa streets," she said.

Garma said they will follow what the mayor has directed them to do because it's their role also to ensure security and to maintain an orderly community.

"Well may mga instructions siya on how we could protect the Cebuanos here in Cebu and its doable naman and he is also committed to support the Philippine National Police.  And the city is open kung may mga kailangan, they will accommodate and support us," she said. —Odessa O. Leyson/GAN (FREEMAN)