Robberies in Pangasinan alarming

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Robberies and holdups across the province rose by 183.33 percent since January this year compared to the same period in 2004, prompting the regional police command to deploy crack teams and enforce a "three-strike policy" for unsolved cases.

According to data gathered by The STAR from Superintendent Edgar Basbas, deputy director for operations of the provincial police, 17 robbery/holdup cases were recorded during the period: five in Urdaneta City, four in Dagupan City, two in Villasis town, and one each in Bani, Basista, Binalonan, Calasiao, Rosales and Sto. Tomas.

There were no hijackings reported during the comparable period in 2004, but this year, three such incidents occurred in Rosales, Sta. Barbara and Sison towns.

In most cases, the robbers rode motorcycles and preyed on people who had just withdrawn money from banks. Last May 5, for instance, a Quedancor employee lost his life and P100,000 in collections to robbers.

Among the victims, too, were the assistant treasurers of Basista and Manaoag towns who were robbed of payroll money they had withdrawn from banks in Dagupan and Urdaneta, respectively.

Chief Superintendent Alfredo de Vera, regional police director, told The STAR that he has deployed two crack teams to go after the people behind these robberies and holdups which he described as "alarming."

De Vera said he has instructed Superintendent Mario Chan, regional police intelligence chief, to coordinate with bankers to come up with security measures for their clients, especially those withdrawing huge sums of money.

He admitted that among Region 1 provinces, Pangasinan has the most number of robberies and holdups.

Similar to the "three-strike policy" in the campaign against illegal gambling, De Vera said police chiefs who fail to solve three successive holdups in their respective turfs face relief from their positions.