Police doubt survey: ‘City safer than ever’

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City’s ranking among Asian cities in an online survey on safety dived 10 notches this year but the chief of police maintains that the city is “safer than ever”.

As far as Cebu City Police Office director Colonel Engelbert Soriano is concerned, the city remains peaceful and orderly.

In the latest survey released by Numbeo, Cebu City fell to 66th from 55th in its safest city listing in Asia. The increase in the index crimes was among the factors for the lower placement, it said.

Soriano, however, said he has yet to verify how Numbeo came up with such ranking.

Soriano said that the overall assessment of the recent Sinulog celebration, which was reported to be generally peaceful, was proof that the city is still a safe place.

“The fact that we survived Sinulog with the very good feedback from the community, I would like to believe na Cebu City is safer than ever,” he said.

Soriano said he just recently inspected the different police stations in Cebu City to make sure that security measures remain intact.

He said he is also hopeful that his men are awake all the time to respond to alarms.

“I want them to know by heart yung crime clock ng area of responsibility,” Soriano said. “If crime incidents happen between 2 a.m. until 5 a.m., that’s the time na dapat gising lahat ang police.”

Securing Valentine’s

Meanwhile, the Provincial Board is taking steps to ensure the safety and security of residents, especially during Valentine’s Day, which may be taken advantage of by unscrupulous individuals.

Board Member Thadeo “Jonkie” Ouano sponsored two resolutions during this week’s regular session aimed at heightening security measures in the province.

One resolution urged the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) to release a crime prevention advisory, specifically for Valentine’s Day parties and other related activities.

As explained in the resolution, criminals might “take advantage” of the holiday. It highlighted the dangers of being drugged during the celebratory activities.

Ouano also filed a resolution calling for the enforcement of checkpoints and discipline zones in tourist destinations as a method of crime and terrorism prevention.

Bomb scare?

Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella said authorities are investigating a supposed bomb threat from an anonymous person who called the Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday.

Labella said he was in constant contact with Soriano ,who was on top of the situation. He said they suspected that it was just a prank call but they were not complacent.

“Whether it was a hoax or a joke, we took it seriously,” said Labella.

Early morning yesterday, the mayor said, police personnel were already spread all over the city to conduct strict monitoring.

He added that the information regarding the anonymous call was not made public to avoid panic but assured that the incident is now being investigated further.  JMD (FREEMAN)