EDITORIAL - There's reason to be alarmed

As far as Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is concerned, the public should have no reason to be alarmed by the series of shooting incidents rocking the city of late because the police force is doing its job.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Rama said that based on police investigations, crimes happening recently were not patterned and their motives are varied. So, for him, there's really nothing for the city residents to worry about.

Rama's comment came a day after the killing of a prominent lawyer's son in Barangay Sambag II. Richard Seno, son of lawyer and labor leader Cecilio Seno, was killed by a man pretending to be looking for an apartment unit to rent.   

The mayor came to the extent of commending Senior Superintendent Noli Romana, director of the Cebu City Police Office, for implementing a heightened security since assuming his post as the city's top cop in August last year.

At first glance, Rama has a point in saying that no pattern has been established in the recent crime incidents. They indeed have different motives. So let us admit that crimes do happen even in the safest place. 

But this does not mean crime incidents cannot be prevented at all. Of course, it is easy to say that crimes are bound to happen in a city as big as the Queen City of the South with more than a million inhabitants.

However, criminals will surely have to think twice if all the countermeasures are put in place. For instance, an intensified police visibility would make it hard for them to pull off their trade.                       

Rama should not be too content entertaining the thought that he is happy with the city police as far as their performance goes. The fact that crimes have indeed been committed should be a cause for the public to be alarmed.