Crime rate in Cebu, Bohol More cases during nat'l, brgy polls

CEBU, Philippines - Deputy Regional Director for Operations Police Sr./Supt. Louie Oppus wants the police directors of Cebu and Bohol to explain the increase in the crime rates in the two provinces during the national and barangay elections.

During yesterday’s ‘Talakayan Sa Isyung Pulis (TSIP),’ Oppus said recent statistics showed that the number of crimes in Cebu increased during the national and barangay polls while the number of crimes in Bohol increased during the barangay polls.

Based on records furnished to The Freeman, Cebu recorded 510 crimes in April 2010 and the same increased by 230 cases in May, totaling 680 cases. An increase of 40 cases was also noted from August 2010 with 448 cases to September with 387.

Meanwhile, in Bohol, an increase of 21 cases was noted from August with 398 cases to September with 387 cases.

Oppus said it is important for CPPO Director Sr./Supt. Erson Digal and BPPO Director Sr./Supt. Constantino Barot to explain the situation for purposes of transparency.

“This is not to put them down but PRO-7 is just being transparent,” Oppus said.

Digal, for his part, contended that contrary to the Oppus’ interpretation of the statistics, the record actually means that CPPO is doing its job and looks into even the smallest of crimes.

“Bisan unsa kagamay sa illegal gambling, illegal drugs, illegal possession of firearms ug kawat amo jud nang i-record bisan buwad pa na ang gikawat basta moabot sa station tally jud na,” Digal told The Freeman.

He also explained that he handles the biggest jurisdiction composed of 47 municipalities and 3 cities where there are more or less 2-million residents.

Barot, on the other hand, explained he only took over BPPO last September 8 when former BPPO director Sr./Supt. Rodolfo Llorca was reassigned to Camp Crame.

“Bago pa lang ako dito but luckily during barangay elections no major crimes happened though there are minor incidents while the election is nearing,” Barot said in an phone interview.

Oppus said he plans to meet with the two police officials as soon as possible to formally get their sides on the issue. (FREEMAN)