CCPO chief says 2013 crime stat ‘manipulated’

CEBU, Philippines - Four police stations and one headquarters unit of the Cebu City Police Office has new commanders following the implementation of a minor reshuffling effective Wednesday.

This was after Senior Supt. Noli Romana, CCPO director, realized that he has to have the right person in the right job and to give others the chance to handle police stations.

“The PNP should be dynamic, as it includes revolving and evolving not only in the peace and order but to their capabilities of being better leaders and officers,” Romana said in a press conference.

Based on the order of the CCPO, Chief Insp. Ryan Devaras is transferred to the Parian Police Station from Mabolo Police Station; Chief Insp. David Señor is reassigned to Guadalupe Police Station from Fuente Police Station replacing Sr. Insp. Allan Rosario, who is transferred to Fuente Police Station.

Sr. Insp. Leoncio Baliguat Jr. from Parian Police Station is replacing Senior Insp. Hartzel Peter Billedo of the CCPO Operations Branch.  Billedo is transferred to Mabolo Police Station.

CCPO has also new deputy chief for administration in Supt. Alet Virtucio, who just assumed office this week from the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office.

Romana said the reshuffling has clearance from Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

Romana hoped the changes can bring down crimes which reportedly increased by 38 percent for the first quarter this year compared to the same period last year.

Based on the CCPO’s records, most crimes happened in the Fuente, Parian, Mabolo and Waterfront police stations.

Recently, Chief Inspector Aileen Recla, chief of the Investigation and Detection Group, said street crimes increased by 38 percent this year compared on the last quarter last year.

Records reveal that from October to December last year, a total of 477 index crimes were recorded compared to 771 crimes from January to March this year.

Most of the cases is pickpocket, (261 incidents), followed by Salisi style theft with 125 incidents, and robbery (tutok and kalawit ) with 110 total cases.

For the first quarter of this year, the CCPO recorded a total of 3,232 crimes. Of the figure, 2,089 are index crimes, or crimes against property and persons, and 1,143 non-index crimes, or the violation of special laws and city ordinances. The last quarter of last year, on the other hand, showed 2,605 crimes.

Romana yesterday defended his office against criticisms on the increase of street crimes.

He said he discovered that there were station commanders who manipulated the figures in reporting crime data last 2013, when lower number of street crimes was reported.

Romana said he discovered the manipulation after he checked the police blotters.

He said that if sufficient evidence could be found, he would recommend an investigation.— / RHM (FREEMAN)