Summit aims to curb crimes

CEBU, Philippines - To map out plans to combat crimes in the city, the Cebu City government through the Police Coordinating and Advisory Council held its first Crime Prevention Summit yesterday.

Vice Mayor and PCAC chairman Edgardo Labella said the two-day summit intends to devise a strategic plan with different stakeholders in order to curb the problem of illegal drugs and crimes in the city.

Labella pointed out in his speech before 250 attendees that campaign against illegal drugs is everybody’s concern.

Different barangay officials, parents, students, school administrators, guidance councilors and private sectors attended the summit’s first day.

For his part, Mayor Michael Rama said everyone must be aware of the problem so that they could take part in the prevention.

At the gathering, Cebu City Police Office Chief Senior Superintendent Noli Romana presented the crime situation of the city.

Romana said there is a 40 percent decrease of index and non-index crime volume in Central Visayas in January to October 2014 as compared to the same period last year.

He, however, said there is no reason for the police to be complacent in their jobs.

He said the police force needs the support and cooperation of the community in curbing criminality, adding that the community could help through informing them of any malicious doings around their area.

“The solution will be coming from them at ang participation nila is needed because they know the problem,” he said.

On illegal drugs, Romana said downtown Cebu City is very vulnerable because residents in these areas do not have plenty of means of livelihood.

At the summit, crime prevention measures were also presented, alongside how to protect oneself, property and how to report a crime. — (FREEMAN)