Lapu-Lapu traffic unit needs CLAF

CEBU, Philippines — More than a month after the operations of the City of Lapu-Lapu Allied Force (CLAF) were discontinued by the Lapu-Lapu City government, the police want to have additional personnel in terms of traffic enforcement in the streets.

Chief Inspector Jimmy Fortes, deputy chief of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office- Traffic Enforcement Unit (LCPO-TEU) said that their office is composed of about 15 traffic police only.

He added that the CLAF was of big help to them especially during nightly operations against traffic violators because they became the unit's eyes and ears on the ground.

"Admittedly, dako gyud silag tabang sa atoa. Hopefully, if possible, mabalik ni Mayor Paz (Radaza) ang (CLAF) kay helpful kaayo sila sa amoa sa traffic," Fortes said.

Fortes added that many traffic of the violators are on the streets at night and that this remains a challenge for them.

"Naa man gud usahay nga daghan kaayo ta madakpan sa gabii. The more nga gabii, the more nga manggawas ang katong mga walay lisenysa,  walay rehistro (nga motor)," Fortes explained, adding that their work has doubled due to personnel shortage.

Radaza has cut off the operations of CLAF last June 30 after she found out that its members were mostly involved or linked to illegal drugs and it needs internal cleansing.

Fortes said ideally, TEU needs additional 40 personnel because of its wide coverage but it will depend on the decision of Senior Superintendent Limuel Obon, chief of LCPO.

Obon, meanwhile, said that LCPO lacks personnel in general and that if he had his way, he will request to PRO-7 for more manpower in their area.

LCPO has about 300 police personnel. The ideal number of police that should be assigned in the city is about 500.

Obon said that they are maximizing their strength as much as possible.

"We are really short of personnel and that we have to maximize yet our current deployment strength," Obon said.

The CLAF led by Basak Barangay Captain Isabelita Darnayla, started in 2016.

From 50 members, it grew to 170 members which mostly came from the barangays of the city.

Darnayla previously said that Radaza's move to dissolve the group upsets many like the police and the barangays as they found CLAF beneficial in terms of maintaining peace and order as well as in the fight against illegal drugs.

Radaza, in a previous press conference, stated that what she did was to give other barangay captains, especially those who won in the recent elections, a chance to choose individuals fit to be a CLAF member.

But she assured that the future CLAF members will be screened meticulously. Drug surrenderers, as well as those involved in illegal drugs, are not qualified to become part of the group. (FREEMAN)