TRS police to push serving of warrants

Instead of just waiting for reports regarding robbers, the newly installed chief of the Theft and Robbery Section said he will ditch the old reactive method and employ a new proactive method and go after robbers with standing warrants.

Senior Inspector Alexis Relado told The FREEMAN that they will not just wait for the robbers to hit first, their new strategy is to keep pressure on suspected robbers in the city by serving their pending warrants of arrest.

"This is our initial proactive method, instead of passive we will go into active instance, hindi na natin sila hihintayin na titira pa bago natin hahabulin para at least ma-feel nila ang pressure," Relado said, adding that rob suspects will now be on the run or be forced to leave Cebu City if they do not wish to be arrested.

After their briefing of the new strategy last Wednesday, members of the TRS arrested two suspected robbers, both with pending warrants of arrest for alleged crimes in 2005.

Relado said aside from serving warrants of arrest, constant patrolling of crime-prone areas in the city will be implemented.

The TRS is now coordinating with the Subpoena and Warrant Section for the updated warrants of arrest on criminals in the city, especially those involved in theft and robbery cases.

Aside from this, Relado said they will upgrade the list of suspected robbers and thieves who live in the city and will ask barangay officials to validate the list so that they can be easily monitored.

Last Wednesday, TRS arrested Liven Fajardo, 27 and Louie Birig, 20, both residents of sitio Upper Carreta, barangay Carreta, Cebu City. The younger brother of Birig, Roland, was able to escape the authorities.

The three are suspected of robbing a certain Eugenio Aves inside his house along M.J. Cuenco Avenue.

Judge Eric Menchavez of the Regional Trial Court Branch 21 recommended each of them to pay a P20,000 bail for their temporary liberty.

Both suspects claimed they have already talked to the victim who told them that the case was already dismissed at the Prosecutor's Office, but to their surprise the warrant of arrest came out. - Edwin Ian Melecio/BRP