HPG-7 wants civilian volunteers

CEBU, Philippines -  The Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group in Central Visayas is inviting volunteers to assist them in the campaign against carnapping which has become rampant in the country and Cebu as one of the areas identified as dumping site.

HPG-7 operations officer Eduardo Mara said they need civilian volunteers to assist in their operations because they lack the manpower. According to Mara, the HPG-7 only has a total of 40 personnel for the entire region.

In Cebu there are only five of them which are not enough to cover the entire province. Aside from civilians, Mara is likewise inviting fellow policemen assigned in other units to assist them, especially during operations.

Civilian volunteers will be tapped during operation; they will be issued identification cards. They are however not authorized to operate without being accompanied by organic HPG personnel and are not allowed to apprehend traffic violators.

Mara said they are also holding seminars and trainings to educate volunteer applicants as well as screen them to prevent abuses.

The traffic management office yesterday conducted a seminar with more than 30 possible volunteers.

The seminar was aimed to inform the volunteers about the traffic laws such as the Republic Act 4136 otherwise known as the Land Transportation Code of the Philippines, RA 6539 or the Anti-carnapping Act, and Presidential Decree 6012, the Anti-Fencing Law. (FREEMAN)