Labella: No security threats in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella described the Regional Peace and Order Council-7 quarterly meeting for 2019 as "relatively successful."

The meeting, which Labella presided for the first time as the RPOC-7 chairman, was held at Cebu Parklane International Hotel yesterday.

"The agencies concerned, who are members of this group, have become very active and voiced out their concerns," said Labella.

Labella said that one of the important points discussed during the meeting is to intensify the peace and order situation in the Central Visayas.

He also mentioned that in so far as Cebu City is concerned, reports show that there are no threats and problems, especially in insurgency.

The mayor, however, reminded the public to be vigilant since schools and universities could be venues for indoctrination, or the process of teaching a person or group to accept a set of beliefs uncritically.

He said indoctrination could also happen in barangays.

Labella said there was a motion to add Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Navy, and maritime police to the RPOC-7.

He added that there was also a motion to invite MARINA in the next quarterly meeting.

He said this is due to the presentation made by the coast guard on certain liabilities or responsibilities regarding accidents or incidents that happened in the pier or in the vessel that would also concern labor relations.

"If the incident happens in a coast or vessel involving workers, government agency will take responsibility," said Labella.

Meanwhile, Police Regional Office 7 chief Valeriano de Leon said that RPOC-7 is a good avenue to share the situation in the entire Central Visayas.

De Leon asked the local government units to cooperate with PRO-7 for the maintenance of the peace and order situation, especially during the yuletide season

"Especially on the safety index, kasi maraming nadidisgrasya, maraming na-ooverload... there are so many movements. Pwedeng maging strict tayo sa enforcement on overloading and others," said de Leon.

He also reminded the public to be extra careful on their personal belongings when they go to malls.

De Leon shared that they are intensifying their intelligence report.

"We make collaborations with other intelligence entities and units. We intend to intensify our campaign against criminality. This is not the time to relax. This is the time to be on high guard," De Leon said.

"We are supposed to be serving the community, especially at this point in time," he added.

The RPOC-7 quarterly meeting was also attended by Department of the Interior and Local Government-7 Director Leocadio Trovela, CESO IV; Armed Forces of the Philippines Task Group Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor Commander, Col. Jerry Borja; and other government officials and representatives in the region. (FREEMAN)