Snatching incidents on the rise

CEBU, Philippines —  Reports of petty crimes involving minors are on the rise in Cebu City, said Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).

These street crimes (pickpocketing, snatching and armed robbery) are expected to increase during the Christmas season.

A video circulating now on social media shows two minors snatched a mobile phone of a bus passenger on Natalio Bacalso Avenue in Cebu City.

Police Major Eranio Regidor of San Nicolas Police station told the media yesterday that they already arrested the minors.

He said the minors are notorious snatchers.

“In and out sa station for committing the same offense over and over again,” he said.

Police Lt. Colonel Wilbert Parilla, deputy city director for operations of CCPO, said there were records of juveniles who were apprehended for snatching, but were later released.

With more people expected to head outdoors during the Christmas season amid the easing of quarantine restrictions, he said CCPO will double the deployment of personnel in public places and streets to thwart criminals.

“We will call on our chief of police in-charge dinha (N. Bacalso Avenue) sa area nga magbutang nata dira og permanent na beat personnel specially during rush hour,” said

He said the police deployment will be based on the “crime lock” of each area.

He said CCPO’s tactical operations will analyze the crime lock for its security realignment.

Moreover, he said CCPO has lobbied to the city government for the retention of curfew to help address criminalities in the city.

“Mao jud ni atong gi-propose sa city government specially sa curfew nga magpabilin gihapon kay dako gihapon og tabang sa atong anti-criminality,” said Parilla. — KQD (FREEMAN)