CEBU, Philippines - Deputy provincial police director for operations Supt. Tito Satera admitted they are still facing a blank wall in their investigation of who could be responsible in the spate of strafing incidents in Bogo City.
Satera said they could not conclude until now whether the four strafing incidents have something to do with the hotly contested upcoming elections in the city or personal motives are behind it.
“We are conducting an investigation whether it was an election related violence or away-away ra gyud,” Satera said.
For the past few days at least four incidents of strafing have been reported in barangays Malingin, Banban and Cayang.
Fortunately no one was hurt in all those incidents prompting speculations that it was “staged” to support the calls to place the city under Comelec control.
Satera admitted that the incidents are enough to cause for concerns prompting them to assign additional forces in Bogo. “Magahatag mi og additional forces tungod sa mga strafing cases sa lugar,” Satera added.
He said they are also conducting checkpoints in the entire province on a 24/7 basis.
Satera stressed that the community should help in maintaining the peace and order and should cooperate with them because the community is also responsible in guarding their surroundings.
“The police is the community and the community is the police… tinabangay ra sad ta,” he said.
Satera on the other hand reminded his fellow officers to refrain from escorting politicians during the campaign.
He said that any law enforcer is not allowed to be a politician’s escort unless they are allowed to do so.
In a forum held at the Baseline Restaurant yesterday, a question was raised address to Satera regarding police officials who are engaging with politicians as escorts during campaigns.
Satera explained that politicians must apply before the Comelec to have police escorts during their campaigns to ensure their security.
He said that any police officer who will be caught escorting politician without the COMELEC’s permission will be charged. — Sheila Marie Catacutan, Chessa Elaine Antipuesto and Abigail Libo-on, NORSU Interns/FPL (THE FREEMAN)