Labella asks public support for city police

VICE Mayor Edgardo Labella called on all sectors to support the Cebu City police in its campaign against crime yesterday amid the reassignment of three police precinct chiefs.

“May our courses of action, our proposals and projects, our planned purchases, always take into consideration the priority of helping law enforcement agencies address the seriousness of the indicative crime rate,” said Labella, who heads the City’s Police Coordinating and Advisory Council (PCAC).

The council scheduled a public hearing on May 19 inviting police precinct chiefs to discuss their problems and concerns on keeping the peace in their areas.

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) recorded 771 street crimes from January to March this year, a significant increase from the 477 posted in October to December last year.

Most of the crimes occurred within the jurisdiction of the Waterfront, Mabolo and Parian police precincts.

Chief Insp. David Senior, who heads the Fuente precinct, switched places with Senior Insp. Allan Rosario, who heads the Guadalupe precinct.

Supt. Arnel Banzon, deputy city director for administration, said he hopes this will help lower the crime rate in their respective jurisdictions.

In his privilege speech in yesterday’s council session, Labella said while the ideal ratio of policemen to citizens is 1 to 500 persons, the current ratio is 1 to 1,000.

“I share the wisdom of Marget Villarica, president of the Cebu Association of Travel Agencies, that the PNP (Philippine National Police) is capable but is limited in its capacity to respond and assist victims of crime and traffic accidents due to the lack of response vehicles, radios and other essential equipment,” Labella said.

The council passed Labella’s motion to ask the Cebu City police to submit a crime analysis report, comparative study and classification of crimes.

The Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) is also asked to submit the list of crimes in their respective areas.