CCPO to round up suspected criminals

CEBU, Philippines -  The Cebu City Police Office will start rounding up suspected criminals next week to prevent them from doing crimes during the Sinulog celebration.

This was revealed by Cebu City Police Office’s newly-installed acting director Mariano Natuel after the Police Coordinating Advisory Council (PCAC) meeting yesterday.

He said it is possible that criminal elements from other provinces will come to Cebu because they know that people will converge in the city for the Sinulog.

Natuel said he has requested the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 for an augmentation force of at least 1,000 police personnel to ensure peace and order in the city during the Sinulog activities.

Natuel said the existing 900 personnel of CCPO may not be enough to secure the city as millions of visitors are expected to attend the Sinulog activities.

In last year’s Sinulog celebration, Natuel said, the CCPO only asked for 300 additional policemen.

“Kinahanglan kita og daghang polis kay daghang motambong sa kalihukan sa Sinulog,” Natuel said.

These police personnel will be deployed along the Sinulog parade route, bus and jeepney terminals and at the Cebu City Sports Complex.

Mayor Michael Rama earlier said if Camp Crame will not be able to install Senior Supt. Noli Romana as the new CCPO director before the Sinulog, Natuel must prove that he is fit to lead the CCPO.

Aside from the police, several civilian auxiliary personnel and barangay tanods will also be utilized during the activities. –/MBG (FREEMAN)