Rama wants a new police chief

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is set to meet with PNP chief Nicanor Bartolome this Tuesday to lobby for a new city police chief.

“I have already set for an appointment with PNP chief Bartolome. My schedule for a meeting with him is on Tuesday. Part of the agenda is to discuss the new police landscape in Cebu City as I start with my second term,” Rama said,adding that he has always “desired” a city police chief of his own choice.

The mayor, who has been in Manila for days now, will be back in Cebu today and will meet with local police and key city officials to discuss pressing peace and order concerns.

“I will be back to Cebu tomorrow (Sunday) and I am going to discuss incidents pertaining to peace and order with our fellow local officials. We will find ways to address quickly these concerns as I was assured by our police officials,” Rama continued.

Among the significant matters that need to be discussed include the killing of a CITOM enforcer who was gunned down while manning traffic in Banilad Thursday morning as well the most recent killing of Fuente police officer who was also killed while on duty along P. Del Rosario St., barangay Kamagayan.

Rama would also wish to be enlightened on the vehicular accident that claimed the life of city traffic police officer who was on his way home.

“I would like to clarify unsay nahitabo atong usa ka pulis nga naaksidente sa dalan and clear doubts and speculations raised by reports saying the person was under the influence of liquor. We will look into that,” he added.

Making a premature statement on the peace and order of the city, he said, would be unnecessary considering the cases vary.

“We cannot just make a whole statement because these involve individual circumstances. Before we comment, we have to hear about the progress of the investigation. We have to determine unsay motibo sa perpetrators. Definitely the police would have to do its job in the investigation,” Rama said.

The CCPO and the Police Coordinating and Advisory Council (PCAC) have been in coordination on how to address and ensure public safety especially with the start of classes, he added.

“I have been telling them that we all have to be extra watchful because crimes go together with the opening of classes. Criminals take advantage of the busy situation,” the mayor said.

In a span of a week, five deaths have been reported in Cebu due to crimes involving armed men despite the new signed law of President Benigno Aquino III imposing stricter rules on carrying and owning guns in the Philippines.

But Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said that even with a stricter law, they can’t help but ask what would be its effect in the continuing increase of crimes involving guns.

“Bisan with the law permitting to get guns, we begin to be a little bit questioning. Daghan nag krimen unya daghan pag baril?” said Palma, asking if this would not elevate the situation.

However, Palma said they are just asking but the whole idea is that the people should understand the killing is not a solution given the problems that confront them.

“Peace is a gift. It should start in the heart of people. It should start on how much we respect life and how much we respect people,” said Palma, asking for the public to pray more frequently and fervently given the present situation.

Palma said that being with the religious sector, they can pray and ask prayers from the people while the test is also on the authorities to deal with the matter.

“The challenge to the authorities is also posed. On what they can do, what we can do,” Palma said, adding that with prayer and actual actions by the authorities concerned, problems can be solved.

“If we help one another, something good would happen.”

Meanwhile, Palma also reminded the newly elected leaders of the responsibilities they face.

“As usual, we often remind the leaders, the people have spoken. So we say in their part let their gratitude above all to the people who put them in office,” said Palma, adding that while the candidates should maintain the honor and dignity of their respective offices, the leaders should remember their purpose for running for office.

“The legacy and opportunity to do something good, the opportunity to leave behind projects that could uplift the situation of the people.”/JPM  (FREEMAN)