Still upset over the recent killing of nursing student Ruby Jade Ruba, the Cebu City Council has called on the police to be more visible during the observance of the Holy Week to maintain security in the city.
“While the aforementioned religious activity calls for calmness and sobriety, still, the same is no reason for the law enforcement agencies to be complacent and let their guard down in the wake of the recent daring rob-slaying of some victims by lawless elements operating within the territorial jurisdiction of Cebu City,” the council said.
Churches, religious shrines, and other places of worship are expected to be filled up with devotees starting today, and the council believes there is a high tendency for criminal elements to take advantage of the situation, especially in areas where there are big crowds.
“More often than not, criminal elements will tend to strike during the week-long observance of Holy Week considering that high concentration of people from all walks of life in certain public places seem to provide them with “cover” to engage in illicit acts within or outside the said places,” the council said.
And with a relatively long weekend ahead, the council said there is an equally high probability for criminal elements to strike on establishments that would be closed for the holidays. The council had requested a tight watch over banks, gasoline stations, pawnshops, lending houses, Internet cafés and other similar business establishments.
Aside from these business establishments, the council said it would also be beneficial to residents if the police would keep an eye on residential establishments. — Joeberth M. Ocao/LPM