PNP brass satisfied by security safeguards

High-ranking officials of the PNP expressed satisfaction on the progress of the security emplacements for the ASEAN Summit actually intended for securing the foreign delegations but incidentally contributed to the minimizing incidents of petty crime in Metro Cebu.

The security task force led by its overall commander, C/Supt. Antonio Billones and task force Cebu commander C/Supt. Silverio Alarcio Jr. inspected not only the ASEAN summit venues and billeting areas but also the churches, malls and major thoroughfares.

It started from Ayala Mall where several K9 units from the Special Action Force and security guards of the said mall have implemented tight security to quell any possible threat.

The officials witnessed how security guards of the said mall searched their customer's bags upon entering the shopping mall and then proceeded to the second floor for a brief tour.

Before leaving Ayala Mall, the officials checked on the K9 units at the ground floor and asked one of the K9 units to sniff for bombs in the parking area.

The overall security commander told reporters that they have to conduct such inspections to see to it that there men were doing their work and refrain from relaxing on their post despite the absence of a terror threat.

Billones told reporters that the security was not just intended for the summit delegations but also Cebuanos and other people who will be coming here from different regions.

Meanwhile, Alarcio told reporters since July until December last year, Metro Cebu recorded a 23 percent drop in crime volume attributing it to the presence of security forces for the ASEAN Summit.

At the height of the tightening the security on the major streets of Metro Cebu for the ASEAN Summit activity last Saturday, a police route security suffered a mild stroke and was rushed to a hospital.

Report reaching the Cebu City Police Office operations center identified the policeman as PO3 Roderick Villanueva who needed to be confined.

The policeman who is reportedly part of the augmentation force from Negros is detailed as the route security in the corner of Escario St. and Osmeña Blvd. in barangay Capitol Site last Saturday morning.

He was reportedly manning traffic at the said corner when he suddenly fainted, some of his fellow police officers who were posted nearby rushed to his aid.

PO3s Elmer Sagal and PO3 Rogelio Ocubillo immediately brought him to Chong Hua Hospital.

Security Task Force officials visited him at the said hospital upon hearing what happened. - Edwin Ian Melecio