CCPO gets 11 new patrol cars from Cebu City government

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government has granted the request of police to get 11 new patrol cars, which were showcased yesterday during the celebration of the 126th Independence Day at Plaza Sugbo.

Cebu City Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog requested the patrol cars last year.

“Akong gi-promise-san si Col. Dalogdog kay they requested these (vehicles) one year ago pa (or) last year pa. So, (if) wa to ni gi-follow up nga gipa-paspas, dili unta ni ma deliver on time,” Garcia said.

Eight out of 11 vehicles were initially delivered and shown yesterday, but Garcia clarified that the exhibit was not the official turnover yet since only the demo units were displayed instead of the actual vehicles the city has ordered.

“In two to three weeks, we will already have them turned over sa police. (It is) also in time for the opening of the Palaro, because we want more police visibility, especially sa Palaro. (It is) because we are expecting so many people, mga 25-mil (25,000) kabuok, including athletes and their families,” Garcia said, referring to the city’s hosting of the Palarong Pambansa in July.

“What you see are demo units lang because ang akong directive man gud nga ang i-deliver nila is automatic units (or) automatic transmission kay kuyaw man gud kaayo ni ambot kung kabalo ba mo nga (naay) mga driver diri nga lain-lain ang driver unya (kung) stick shift manual gali, mas dali ma guba ang sakyanan,” he added.

Garcia disclosed that the police cars cost about P8 million in total and were purchased from the city’s Peace and Order Program (POP) budget as an “assistance to police.”

Further, Garcia stressed on the importance of the city’s support to the CCPO, acknowledging the office’s lack of resources.

“Very, very, very, very important. We all know that ang resources sa police by itself kuwangon jud. That’s why we have to give them ammunition, to give them arms, we have to give them vehicles, and so many other things nga atong matabang,” Garcia said.

“I want the police to have (a) very much boosted morale nga kibaw jud sila nga ang Cebu City Government 110 percent ang support. All-out jud ang support sa Cebu City Government nila so that they can also perform their functions very well,” Garcia added. — Nicholas Jon Malaga /ATO (FREEMAN)