CEBU, Philippines - The police in Talisay City have recorded an increase in the crime rate and link the escalation to lack of vehicles.
Supt. Eddie Recamara, acting chief of the Talisay City Police Station, revealed that the theft incidents have increased to 64 from 45 last June.
He said in May, 44 cases of theft were recorded, which increased to 45 the following month, but skyrocketed to 64 in August, around the time when their patrol cars just stopped working.
He said during this time, the police had almost no accomplishment to speak of.
Recamara however said the lack of vehicles has constrained most of their tasks especially those that involve field work such as responding to alarms.
As of the moment, the city police is making do with the three city government-issued motorcycles now being utilized for patrolling and responding to alarms.
He said private motorcycles of policemen are also used for the same purpose.
The city police used to have two Nissan Terrano cars but these no longer function.
The only running sports utility vehicle the police have is the Toyota Innova, which figured in an accident with Joavan Fernandez's car last November.
The repair of the Innova cost the government about P100,000.