Rob cases drop 31%; Tom surmises vigilantes as cause

The latest city police statistics showed that, from January to September this year, the number of robbery incidents has dropped by 31.11 percent, and snatching cases by 23.89 percent compared to the same period last year.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who showed the figures to reporters yesterday, surmised that the vigilante killings might have some "impact" against criminal elements causing the reduction of incidents.

"I think it has an impact but I cannot say for sure," Osmeña said citing that the statistics may not be complete considering that he has no record for 2003 that he could compare with that of last year's.

But he said that, at any rate, the killings of people with criminal backgrounds might probably have sown terror in the hearts of others into crime. He cited also some criminals or fugitives who chose to yield to authorities than be killed.

"We had cases of people surrendering because they're afraid... That's why I said it's not so bad," Osmeña said.

But he clarified that his happiness over the killings of robbers was only a statement of his abhorrence against this kind of people, not that he has something to do with the killings.

Osmeña pointed out he just wanted to create an element of fear in robbers and lawless elements, instead of assuring their safety, which would instead carve a negative impression on the ordinary citizens.

The police said robbery cases since the start of the year until last month is 454, which is lower by 205, compared to a total of 659 incidents for the same period last year.

The highest reduction in number was last February when only 44 cases occurred as to last year's 99 of the same month. But for July, the cases rose to 61 compared to 51 of the same month last year.

Snatching incidents, from January to September this year, totaled 223, which is lower by 70 cases than the 293 cases for the same period last year.

The highest reduction in snatching incidents was last January this year, barely a month after the mayor announced the creation of an elite police force he named as the Hunters Team. The team was later officially called the Crime Suppression Unit tasked to run after criminals.

The attacks on suspected criminals started late last December, or shortly after Osmeña announced the team's creation to "permanently disable or neutralize a robber" or criminal. He even put up a P20,000 bounty to anyone who could do the task.

Without perhaps the intention, Osmeña's move created a succession of killings of criminals to this day, the number of which had racked up to almost 100. The main culprit has been tagged as a vigilante.

Osmeña was criticized about this but he denied being behind the so-called vigilantes. He admitted however he might have "inspired" the killing of criminals. - Cristina C. Birondo