Crime volunteers hold their first national summit

CEBU, Philippines - More than 5,000 Community Investigative Support volunteers from the different regions in the country gathered at the Cebu International Convention Center yesterday to take part in a national summit.

The summit coincided with the founding of the CIS, a community-based civilian support group organized by the Criminal Investigation and Detective Group to help police fight crime.

CIS volunteers, who number more than 20,000 nationwide, help police gather information about the activities and whereabouts of fugitives and other criminals in the community.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo graced the event.

CIDG director Samuel Pagdilao, Jr. said the summit was also held to recognize the contribution of the CIS to peace and order.

He said CIS has contributed a lot to CIDG in the arrest of high-profile criminals and the neutralization of organized crime groups.

“Because of their participation, maraming accomplishments ang CIDG, expecting nothing in return as long as they contribute to a peaceful society,” he said.

Pagdilao said individuals who wanted to be part of the CIS group have to secure requirements like barangay and police clearance. Apart from that, they will also undergo background and personality check.

CIS applicants also undergo training to be oriented with his or her role as a CIS volunteer, he said.

CIDG also makes sure that the CIS members are secured.

Yesterday’s summit was guided by a theme “Sa paglaban sa krimen: Komunidad ko, responsibilidad ko.”

Among the lineup of activities was a mass oath-taking among the more than 5,000 delegates, a shooting competition, awarding of police vehicle to the CIDG-7, and the awarding of ten outstanding CIS Partners for their significant contribution to the success of CIDG in its fight against crime.

Of the 5,000 delegates, 2,500 were from Visayas, 1,200 from Luzon, and 1,800 from Mindanao.

Convenors of the CIS and the CIDG yesterday signed a pact cementing a lasting cooperation between them in their joint advocacy to fight crime.   - THE FREEMAN