‘I don’t know’ habit dares police again

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has admitted having been challenged by uncooperative residents in the process of investigating untoward incidents around the city.

The recent shooting incident in Sitio Bliss, Barangay Alaska Mambaling has rebirthed the term of “sitio ambot” (sitio I don’t know).

“Usa ni sya ka dakong hagit no kay dili man lang ni diri sa atoang syudad or sa atong office, naa gyuy mga lugar nga ing-ana nga uncooperative gyud ang mga tawo,” said Police Lt. Colonel Wilbert Parilla, deputy director for operations of CCPO.

Parilla recalled that even before when a shooting incident happened where the victim’s sibling was a primary witness, the sibling even refused to give out testimony to the police.

“So ingon ana ka dakong hagit sa atong kapulisan,” he added.

In the absence of the community’s participation, Parilla said they would usually rely on the technical aspects along with other few witnesses since most of the people cannot be forced to speak up.

To address this, Parilla said they have been consistently making programs through their Police Community Relations (PCR) Section in order to gain the trust of the people.

“Ato gyud gipasabot unsa kadako ang ilang pagkooperar sa pagsulbad sa krimen, if they are hoping na masulbad ang krimen,” said Parilla.

Parilla said the police cannot solve the crime alone, emphasizing the importance of community’s participation.

He, however, said that the can assure security for those cooperating with them. He also laid out the option to text the police in order to protect their identity.

Last Monday, a shooting incident transpired in Barangay Mambaling wherein a certain Abner Sumadia, 44, was shot dead by an unknown perpetrator.

Parilla said the CCPO Station 11 was conducting a hot pursuit against the suspect yesterday.

“So far with the update sa atong police sa Station 11, karon ongoing ilang hot pursuit no, naa pa ron sila sa area nag-conduct og hot pursuit because they have already, naa na silay suspect na nga gisunod karon,” Parilla told reporters. — GMR (FREEMAN)