PRO-7 gets support of South Korea: Tomas slams police anew

CEBU, Philippines — After over a month, Mayor Tomas Osmeña returned to criticizing the police over the spate of killings in Cebu.

He also took a swipe at Cebu City Police Director Royina Garma and Police Regional Office-7 Director Debold Sinas.

“I said before it’s the police. Let me tell you, it’s the police. I’m sorry. I take that back. It’s Garma and Sinas. Our police is okay. Under Doria, we were number one police department in the Philippines that includes Davao City. When they (Garma and Sinas) came in, we have all of these killings. When they came into the picture, what happened?”

Osmeña told reporters during a short press conference.

Yesterday was not the first time Osmeña said the number of killings here increased when Garma and Sinas assumed their posts.

Garma replaced Sr. Supt. Joel Doria whose two-year stint as CCPO director ended last July 1, while Sinas replaced Chief Supt. Robert Quenery in June.

It was after the foiled assassination against Osmeña’s ally, Tejero councilman Jessielou Cadungog, that the mayor made public his apprehensions against the police – even saying that cops may be behind the killings here.

Osmeña has not held a press conference since August 22. On August 29, the mayor announced he would not hold a press conference until September 9.

On August 30, Duterte took a swipe at Osmeña for supposedly playing untouchable and telling the national government to “leave Cebu alone” and for tagging him as drug protector.

Since then, Osmeña did not grant interviews until yesterday after he filed his Certificate of Candidacy for mayor.

Senate Probe

Commenting on the move of Senate to probe the killings in Cebu, he said:

“Why do they always say they call for an investigation? Every other day they call for an investigation but they do not investigate. Let them talk whatever they want.”

For his part, Governor Hilario Davide III said he is open to the idea. He said the probe can aid legislation to mitigate further killings.

"I welcome that para ma-determinar gyud (the causes)," he said.

He recalled that in the past, the provincial government hosted at least three Senate committee hearings in aid of legislation.

The move to investigate the killings was initiated by the minority bloc, which includes Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senators Leila De Lima, Bam Aquino, Risa Hontiveros, Kiko Pangilinan, and Antonio Trillanes IV.

This year, at least 198 have been killed, 47 of whom during police operations.

Among the high-profile killings include the shooting of former Lagtang, Talisay captain Marc Ferdinand Bas and his son, Art Stephen Bas; Ronda Mayor Mariano Blanco and his vice mayor, Jonnah John Ungab; and PDEA agent Baby Earl Rallos.

Trust Remains

Meanwhile, the Korean Consul General said the country continues to trust the police here.

“We tried to explain to them (officials in Korea) that the tourist(s) are safe in Cebu. We have full trust and confidence in the police forces here,” said Consul General Oh Young Hun during a visit at PRO-7.

Koreans are still number one as far as tourist arrivals in Cebu is concerned. Many Koreans are also studying here.

He said he has received calls from South Korea on the issue of killings in Cebu and he reportedly said that Cebu remains safe to tourists. He thanked the cops on the fast resolution of the case concerning the shooting of Young Ho Lee at a hotel on August 26. The suspect, Jessie Casado, was arrested in less than a month and has been charged in court.

“Thank you very much for your active operation. If someone is a victim, it is very important to catch the suspects as soon as possible. (In cases of) Korean (as victims) the perpetrator (was) arrested as soon as possible,” Oh said.

Oh was at PRO-7 to lead the ceremonial turnover of 25 brand new vehicles.

“These 25 patrol cars is part of our project to strengthen the capacity of the Philippine National Police. And then we will continue this project. The next one, donate 140 motorcycles this year,” he said.

He said South Korea will share its best practices with the police here to improve investigation capabilities.

“We (will) invite police officers (from Korea) to teach investigation skills, and (we will) donate investigation kits. And we will try to strengthen investigation capacity of the Philippine National Police,” he said.

Not worried?

Oh’s statements may be a relief to the police who have been besieged with criticism over the spate of killings here. The business community, for one, is reportedly concerned over the “growing lawlessness” in the Cebu, which may discourage future investors.

But Sinas said he has spoken to businessmen and they never raised the issue of being worried about the situation.

“You define lawlessness, you define lawlessness, please… we are talking with them. I don’t think na nabalaka sila,” he said.

It was reportedly previously that businessmen have been alarmed of the string of killings in Cebu.

Since September 26, at least 47 have been killed in the province, the most recent of which was the death alleged narco-cop Micahel Cortes and three others in Talisay City.

Sinas said the killings are not connected and several investigation groups have been created to look into the case.

Street Lights

Meanwhile, the city government is asking its residents to identify the streets where street lighting is inadequate for it to be addressed by the city’s Department of Public Services.

Also, Osmeña, in his Facebook page, said the city plans to install “CCTVs inside jeepneys to deter snatching and robberies. Dashcams on taxis and jeepneys are also in the works. This will be used to catch traffic violators as well.”

Osmeña said this is the city’s contribution to make the city “safe again.”

In his speech during the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan group last Saturday, the mayor made clear that the city can no longer depend on the police department as to the safety concerns.

To ensure the safety of the BPO workers, he said there will be 10 buses that will be deployed to shuttle workers between IT Park and Mabolo during late hours after a call center agent was killed weeks ago.

“We are asking IT Park’s management to provide a free shuttle service between the various office buildings and the soon to be constructed bus terminal on the Provincial-owned lot in front of Waterfront Hotel. The City-owned lot beside Honda is now being paved and lighted for graveyard shift BPO workers and habal habal drivers to use as a terminal as well. This second terminal will have space for workers who have motorcycles so they no longer have to pay for parking,” he added. (FREEMAN)