CPPO to focus monitoring on reported armed groups

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Police Office is set to deal squarely with issues on armed groups sighted in certain areas, particularly south of Cebu so to prevent them from carrying out further acts of intimidation and harassment.

The move is also to secure this early the day of the elections in May.

Senior Supt. Jesus Gaquing, director of the CPPO, said that after attending to a hectic schedule during the holidays, dismantling of reported armed groups is now their target.

These armed groups are allegedly composed of persons on the “wanted list” who reportedly harass civilians in certain areas in the province.

“Labad gyod sa ulo, para namo, ning mga wanted nga sige lang og panghasi sa mga sibilyan particular na sa habagatang bahin sa Sugbo,” Gaquing said.

Earlier, Gaquing ordered the chiefs of police in the various municipalities of the province to intensify their monitoring, in relation to the reported sightings, to be able to arrest these persons on the wanted list to prevent them from being used in the upcoming polls, or on the very day of the elections, by those who are mapping out “dark schemes.”

The officials of the CPPO are also set to meet with officials of the Commission on Election for the list of hotly contested areas during elections. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)