CCPO beefs up security for Christmas, Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is preparing security plans for upcoming holiday activities this December, as well as the celebration of Sinulog in January 2024.

Police Lt. Col. Janette Rafter, Deputy City Director for Operations and CCPO spokesperson, said that they have already conducted pocket meetings with the organizers of several holiday and Sinulog events, including nightly activities at the Plaza independencia and Fuente Osmeña Circle.

Rafter said they will be on full alert, but they will also be seeking the help of the barangay and the community to ensure peaceful and safe festivities.

“We are actually involving the barangays as force multipliers so that we can provide additional force to secure our people,” said Rafter, adding that they are appealing for the public to be extra cautious with their properties and belongings.

“Rest assured that we, the policemen and women of CCPO under the leadership of our City Director Ireneo Dalogdog, are doing our best in order to provide you a peaceful festivity,” said Rafter.

Meanwhile, CCPO has identified the two suspects in the robbery along N. Bacalso Avenue, Cebu City last week that was caught on video and has gone viral on social media.

According to Lt. Col. Rafter, the suspects who stole the cellphone of a bus passenger are brothers and live at A. Lopez, Barangay Calamba, Cebu City.

The police were able to locate the house of the siblings, but when they went to their residence, it was found that the two did not return home after knowing that they were caught on CCTV.

However, CCPO found out that the siblings were hiding in a nearby city and has coordinated with police in the area to confirm their location to arrest them.

The CCPO is also asking the public to immediately report to the police if they know where the two are hiding.

Arrested

In a separate operation, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Cebu City Field Unit, led by Police Lt. Col. Randy Korret, served a search warrant against a man named Jimmy Modina from Plaza Ville Subdivision, Brgy. Busay, Cebu City Thursday afternoon, Nov. 9,2023.

The search warrant against Modina for Violation of Section 3, in relation to Section 28, of R.A.10591 was issued by Cebu City Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Marlon Jay Moneva.

According to authorities, Modina reportedly had in possession an unlicensed .45 caliber pistol and ammunition, which he would reportedly show to his friends during drinking sessions. Also, Modina allegedly harassed other tenants inside the compound where he lived by showing his weapon.

The police report noted that they conducted surveillance to validate such reports and once confirmed, they immediately filed and served the search warrant. During the execution of the search warrant, the authorities seized two revolvers with three bullets and a .45 caliber pistol with seven bullets. (CEBU NEWS)