Recent robberies, Magpale: More police visibility

CEBU, Philippines - Acting Governor Agnes Magpale prefers more police visibility particularly in commercial areas rather than rely on private security guards being hired by the establishments.

Magpale, who also chairs the Provincial Peace and Order Council, was reacting to reports that the police blamed the establishment such as the pawnshop branch that was robbed in Mabolo, Cebu City.

She raised concerns on the recent robbery incidents in the province such as in Naga City when another financial establishment was also robbed the other day and in Talisay City last month.

Magpale yesterday asked Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Commendador for police visibility in some areas.

“We should not be depending on security guards, we should be able to provide,” Magpale said.

Magpale appreciates that there are establishments who can afford to hire private security guards but said security should not be solely relied on them.

“If they can afford, security guard mas maayo but dili gyud maoy saligan,” Magpale added.

MLhuillier Kwarta Padala in Barangay Inayagan, Naga City lost P3,000 cash to two unidentified robbers Wednesday afternoon, reportedly the second such establishment in Metro Cebu to have been robbed in two days.

The establishment does not have a security guard or CCTV camera.

Just last Tuesday, a Palawan pawnshop branch a few meters away from the police station in Mabolo, Cebu City was also robbed.

The police earlier reiterated that financial establishments like Palawan Express Pera Padala should employ security guards and install a security camera.

The said remittance center was reportedly back to business, already guarded by a security guard who was deployed by the management shortly after the robbery.— /MIT (FREEMAN)