Policemen to ride buses to keep an eye on drivers

CEBU, Philippines - Uniformed policemen would start riding buses plying provincial routes to prevent crime and to keep an eye on reckless drivers by next month.

Supt. Ricky Delelis, Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Provincial Operations and Plans Division chief, said they would launch in March their “Cops on Board” program, to ensure public safety and to improve police visibility.

The policemen’s presence would also serve to remind the drivers to observe traffic rules while behind the wheel.

“May mga drayber kasi na kaskasero at pwede silang sitahin ng kapulisan natin at kung hindi pwede nang arestohin (There are reckless drivers; so the police could call either their attention or even arrest them),” Delelis said.

He said that initial stage of the program would just have policemen in uniform randomly boarding any bus from any area in the province.

“Kahit saan sila pwedeng sumakay kahit saan din sila pwedeng bumaba at kahit anong bus ‘yung sasakyan nila (The policemen would take a ride from anywhere, disembark in any place, and ride any bus they choose),” Delelis told The FREEMAN.

Each of the police stations under CPPO is required to provide the headquarters four personnel, who would initially work in 12-hour shifts for the program pending an updated study on the province’s crime clock.

In a press conference yesterday morning, all 20 bus operators in attendance agreed on the plan since it would benefit the public.

The CPPO is also planning to later on train policemen as deputized personnel of the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

“As of now we are still preparing the documents for our final consultative meeting this week or next week kasi (because) we need the PNP and our law-enforcers to work on this,” Delelis said.

Interviewed separately, LTFRB-7 Director Ahmed Cuizon said he supports the PNP’s plan.

“We support it because it is a very good plan and we can deputize them,” Cuizon said. — /RHM (FREEMAN)