Police ask public to help catch CV’s most wanted

CEBU, Philippines - The police are taking advantage of the Holy Week break to encourage the public to help catch Region 7’s most wanted men.

Yesterday, no less than Police Director Frank Uyami, chief of Directorate for Integrated Police Operations in Central Visayas, led the campaign for public participation.

PNP personnel put up streamers with photos of the wanted men and distributed fans, flyers, and stickers also with the photos and contact numbers of the police. These were distributed at the ports and bus terminals.

The flyers also contain tips on avoiding incidents while traveling.

“Our PNP units like PRO-7 rely mostly on tips from concerned citizens. So with the information coming from the civilians or concerned citizens, we may be able to arrest these wanted criminals,” Uyami said.

 “Siyempre, Holy Week ito. Some of the wanted criminals may visit their family, so yun yo’ng time na maaring mag-travel sila and then in the process, pag may nakakita’ng civilian, with this information materials, they can pass the information to the PNP or police units. Then pwede silang mahuli sa mga terminals,” Uyami said.

Uyami said there no reward will be given to those who can tip the police of the suspects’ whereabouts. After all, peace and order is everyone’s concern.

“The preservation of peace and order is everybody’s concern; it’s not only the police’s. The community should help. It is also the concern of the community,” he said.

Judith Jimenez, 45, one of the passengers bound for Bohol, said he is thankful for the informational materials

“At least ba, makahibawo ta kung kinsa aton’ng kontakon kung naa’y mahitabo,” Jimenez said, adding, she will be willing to provide the police information if she will have it.

Security

Ramon Dumayac, Jr., operations manager of the Cebu South Bus Terminal said the augmentation force at the terminal provided by the PNP, Capitol’s Civil Security Unit, and Central Command will stay until Friday.

As of 5pm yesterday, Dumayac said the volume of passengers was “manageable” and buses were enough. Suroy-Suroy buses from Moalboal and Toledo City were also deployed for support in the event of bus shortage.

Governor Hilario Davide III and Capitol department heads inspected the terminal yesterday morning.

“Wala may problem. I told Mr. Dumayac to ensure everybody’s safety and convenience… Everything is controlled,” Davide told reporters.

Signages are utilized to sort out passengers according to their destinations and tents that serve as alternative waiting area were also put up inside the terminal.

High alert

The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is on high alert for Holy Week related emergencies.

Councilor David Tumulak said CCDRRMC is on red alert status, which means all disaster teams and volunteers are on standby.

He requested all barangay tanods to patrol churches and other places that will be frequented by crowds.

“Put patrols sa mga places nga daghan gyod og tao and police visibility in case of emergencies and bantayan pod ning illegal cock fights sa bisag asa sa barangay,” he said.

Tumulak said at least 19 ambulances will be stationed in different areas in the city, including mountain barangays.

He reminded that houses should be secured if owners intend to stay away for a long time.

“I-secure ang balay, double check ang mga locks nato, shut off atong mga luto-anan, unplug appliances, and pwede pod ipatan-aw sa mga silingan ang balay,” he said.

Tumulak said that the command control center (C3) is willing to respond to any incident.

He urged the public to communicate to the C3 through its mobile phone lines for faster response during emergencies. These are 0932-537-7770 and 0923-524-8222 (Sun) and 0947-178-9999 and 0947-178-0000 (Smart) and O917-722-2343 (Globe).

The public can also call the existing landline numbers of C3, the 166 and 262-1424.

 Tumulak said that C3 will respond to any incidents, not only during calamities, but also in the peace and order matter, if anyone needs police assistance and or ambulance service. — Ma. Fatima R. Secuya, Michael Vencynth H. Braga and Grace L. Lacamiento/JMO (FREEMAN)