Crack teams to go after street gangs

The Cebu City police has created special anti-gang units that will gather information and monitor the movements of so-called fraternities and street gangs.

Cebu City police chief Patrocinio Comendador said the anti-gang units, which he calls Anti-Street Hoodlums Operating Teams or A-Shot, was conceived after finding out that fraternity and gang wars have become one of the top four peace and order problems in the city.

Comendador claims the Cebu City police has arrested three fraternity members linked to at least nine criminal cases and the creation of these special units is intended to keep the momentum of success going.

Among the arrests was that of the “number one most wanted fraternity man” in Cebu – Aristotle “Ares” Aves, said to be the top hitman of the Alpha Kappa Rho. 

The A-Shot teams will be composed of elements from the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Bureau, the Theft and Robbery Section, and the Homicide Section.

Comendador said he has designated CIIB chief George Ylanan as leader of the A-Shot teams.

He said the teams are armed with the profiles of many suspected hoodlums, especially in the Tisa and Zapatera areas, known to be turfs of such street gangs as Bloods and Crips.

“Our job is pro-active. We will be a step ahead of them,” Ylanan said.

Ylanan said aside from monitoring and data gathering, his teams will also conduct street checkpoints. — Garry Lao/JST