Council grills Romana on city’s crime rate

CEBU, Philippines - Contrary to what Cebu City Police Office director Noli Romana had been insisting, some city officials and barangay captains believe that the crime rate has actually gone up.

Romana was grilled yesterday by the members of the Cebu City Council who summoned him to an executive session to explain the crime situation in the city.

Councilor Gerardo Carillo ranted on CCPO’s failure to arrest a single drug lord or gambling lord when the police actually know their names.

 â€œAdmittedly, addressing the drug problem is a very difficult task. We are doing everything possible at our level,” said Romana.

Carillo bluntly told Romana that he is suspecting that the police are either protecting the drug lords and gambling lords or are just tolerating the illegal activities.

 â€œNagduda ‘ta nga either they are enjoying the protection of the police or the police tolerate them. Are we that serious in solving that problem?” Carillo asked.

The councilor admitted that he is sometimes discouraged to approve the police request for assistance because of it.

Councilor Margarita “Margot’ Osmeña also noted the lack of police visibility on the streets. Councilor Eugenio Gabuya, on the other hand, pointed out the police’s failure to address the problem of children in conflict with the law.

The barangay captains from the upland barangays also admitted that the drug problem is getting worst.

“Drogas g’yud ang problema, ni-increase g’yud. Kung naa’y madakpan, human sa  usa ka semana, makit-an na nimo sila sa kalsada. Maong ang mga tawo mahadlok na musumbong diri nato,” lamented San Jose barangay captain Joventino Ardaba.

But, Romana had the usual alibi of lack of personnel and vehicles. He said the CCPO has already employed the beat patrol system wherein policemen are detailed on the streets.  (FREEMAN)