Rama serious on threat to suspend LBC permits

CEBU, Philippines - Despite possible revenue loss, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is determined to make good of his earlier threat to temporarily suspend the business permit of all LBC branches in the city because of the management’s failure to cooperate with the city government.

Rama blew his top after learning that the courier firm opted not to improve their security measures and would rather allow robbers to continue targeting its branches than spending for security guards.

Rama said the firm has become unreceptive of his pronouncement, making him even furious.

“I’m really serious to pursue that (temporarily revocation of the permits granted to all of the courier firm’s branches in the city) especially that I receive a very reliable information after I made that pronouncement that they would rather just continue to be a victim than spend so much (deployment of security guards and install closed-circuit television cameras)…Whatever I pronounced in the paper (media), it’s already an automatic thing for them to pick up. And, to check it with me but I receive nothing,” he said.

 He said he would not think twice in revoking all permits of LBC outlets until all the necessary security measures are complied with.

“We don’t want a business that will put the city into a bad light. Everybody should be helping to make Cebu City beautiful. Imbes na motabang sila, labad nuon sila sa atong ulo kay mo-ingon sila instead, rob me!” the mayor said.

 LBC southern Cebu head Sherwin Navarro was not available for comment.

 All business establishments and residential subdivisions and condominiums operating in the city are being required to install surveillance cameras as provided for under CCTV Ordinance of Cebu City.

 Including, banks, money changers, lending institutions, pawnshops, gas stations, Internet cafés, private schools, privately-owned wet and dry markets, hotels, motels, inns, travel agencies, coffee shops, junk shops, terminals and retail establishments with an annual gross sales of not less than P5 million.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Police Office director, Senior Supt. Noli Romana, ordered a deeper background investigation on Leonardo Rama.

Leonardo was tagged as responsible for the series of robberies in the city including that of the LBC branches.

“If you look into it why was the amount so little and why LBC, kasi yung P5,000 to P10,000 makukuha lang sa isang tao yun,” Romana said.

He added that he will study the reason why of all business establishments in the city, LBC is frequently targeted by robbers.

 After the Punta Princesa robbery incident on September 2, Romana ordered his men to change their patterns in conducting beat patrol and checkpoints.

Leonardo is said to be a former agent of the Military Intelligence Group and is facing arrest in Davao City also for robbery cases. (FREEMAN)