Talisay to build police outpost in Mananga

CEBU, Philippines -  Following the series of robberies in the area, the Talisay City government is set to build a police outpost near the Mananga Bridge in barangay Tabunok.

"Dugay na na nga plano so nanghinaut ta nga madayun na gyud ron hilabi na nga grabe na kaayo ang tulis diha," Councilor Val Ylanan of the minority bloc said.

Ylanan has authored the resolution which requests the city government to provide funds for the construction of the facility.

The presence of the policemen in the area could discourage would-be robbers from committing crimes, he said.

With an outpost there, police officers could immediately respond, he said.

Ylanan noted the last March 11 robbery which resulted to the death of PO1 William Mangubat Jr.

Mangubat tried to apprehend the two robbery suspects but was shot to death.

Mangubat was shot in the interiors of sitio Mananga 2, just under the Mananga Bridge, where the robbery suspects ran to hide.

Based on police reports, sitio Mananga 2 or commonly known as "sitio Kawatan" is where most of the suspects of crimes such as robberies, hold-ups, and snatchings reside.

"Robbers will think twice before committing crimes when they see lawmen detailed in the area," read Ylanan's proposal which was approved by the council yesterday morning.

For his part, fellow minority Councilor Danny Caballero lauded Ylanan's resolution saying "police visibility is important" in a crime-prone area like sitio Mananga 2.

0He said the city can afford the project, "so why not build one if it is for the benefit of the Talisaynons and everyone who might become the next victim."

Caballero is also among those officials who were alarmed by the rising robbery incidents in barangay Tabunok.

Meanwhile, Tabunok barangay chief Manung Cabriana said the project reportedly had a P200,000 allocation from the city.

He said the proposal to put an outpost there was made two years ago, but has not materialized.