Province to create anti-crime task force

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia wants to create an executive task force crime to be called as the Anti-Criminality Task Force to address the peace and order situation in the province.

Members of the said task force include representatives from the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigations, but the draft of its rules and composition has yet to be presented to the governor today.

The decision to create the task force was reached after Garcia’s meeting with Regional Trial Court judge Soliver Peras, regional state prosecutor Fernando Gubalane, Police Regional Office-7 director Ager Ontog, Cebu City Police Office director Melvin Buenafe, new NBI-7 director Edward Villarta, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office director Mariano Natuel Jr,. and acting Mandaue City Office director Noel Gillamac yesterday.

Aside from crime, the task force will also address issues like information gathering, incentives, and the Witness Protection Program.

The idea is patterned from the Anti-Insurgency Task Force created by former governor Pablo Garcia.

The meeting was called following recent killings involving politicians and business personalities including former Compostela mayor Joselito Reynes and Department of Public Works and Highways engineer Ciriaco Salazar. — /BRP (FREEMAN)