Garma: IT Park security not useless, incompetent

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) thinks the security personnel in I.T. Park, the busiest business hub in Barangay Apas, Cebu City, are not useless and are not incompetent to secure the workforce.

"May sariling security ang Ayala and I.T. Park, which I think is very competent.  May police outpost na nakalagay, may police na nagroronda din," CCPO Director Royina Garma said.

Garma made the statement after Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña suggested to have ex-military men to beef up the park’s security.

The local chief executive also accused the security force in place as "useless and shameful".

Garma, however, questioned the authority of the ex-military men which the mayor is planning to deploy.

"Ano sila deputized as force multipliers? If they will be deputized as force multipliers recognized by our unit, fine. But if not, then bakit nandoon sila?," Garma said.

She added that she had a meeting with authorities from I.T Park regarding one of the complaints of a "hold-up" that was referred to the City Hall.

Garma said a victim's friend reportedly texted and reported to the mayor that a robbery incident took place near ebloc 2 in I.T. Park.

However, Garma said they had a hard time identifying the victim, as no report in all 11 police stations was recorded.

"I was challenging the text I want to know the person who texted it...Ayaw na man ibigay ng City Hall yung number. Ang amin lang is we want to know sino ang biktima, anong oras nahold-up, saan banda nahold-up, saan galing, ano specific day, ano hitsura ng nanghold-up kung matatandaan niya, saan papunta and saan galing and saan ang exit, ilan sila? Those are the questions to ask and just coordinate so we will know and we will adjust our deployment sa area," she said.

Asked if it is a possibility that there are people out to destroy the image of police by painting incompetence over their security in I.T Park, Garma said what is important is that the Cebu City cops are working.

"Bahala sila how they will interpret basta kami we will do our work, nag-adjust kami and coordinating with private establishments and non-government organizations," she said. — GAN (FREEMAN)