CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government distributed yesterday 28 more vehicles, including 10 Fortuners and 18 Adventures, to the Cebu City Police Office.
The first 10 vehicles were given in the morning after the flag ceremony at the Cebu City Hall, while the 18 others were distributed in the afternoon.
Mayor Michael Rama said that the cars were ordered in 2015 and are part of the Peace and Order Program of the city.
"Our police deserve it, and they deserve the best. I wish peace and order should be given priority. I am challenging the police to do your job so that the opponent can't look at you as incompetent," Rama added.
The 10 Fortuners were distributed to the CCPO and police stations of Mabolo, Pardo, Mambaling, Fuente, Investigation and Detective Management Branch (IDMB), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) North and SWAT South, Parian and another one which has yet to be decided.
The 18 Adventures were given to the police stations of Carbon, Talamban, San Nicolas, Traffic, Guadalupe, Punta Princessa, Waterfront, two for the Mobile Patrol Group (MPG) in the south, two for the MPG-Central and two for the MPG-North, DCD, Homicide, City Intelligence Branch (CIB), Tourist Police Unit (TPU) and City Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Group (CAIDSOT).
CCPO Deputy Chief for Administration Artemio Ricabo said they are thankful for the city government for the additional cars.
"Nakita nato nga nagkinahanglan gyud tag mga sakyanan. Kani nga mobile cars dako kaayo nig makatabang. Ikaduha kaning atong mga mobile cars nga bag-o nga gipanghatag sa city government, usa ni sya sa e-show sa Cebu City nga one of the best city ang Cebu City kay tungud sa suporta sa city government ug full support pud sa CCPO," he said.
Ricabo explained that the provision of vehicles was programmed in 2014 and the implementation was supposed to be in 2015.
"Na-delay lang, unya karun pa na release mao toy giingun ni mayor nga part sa capital unya na dawaton nato kay dako ang makatabang," he added
Ricabo said that while CCPO is in need of the vehicles, the service of the police will not be affected and influenced by politics.
"Dili ta manimpad sa politiko, we will serve and protect without favor kay maoy instruction sa taas. We will keep our election safe and we will use those cars and do our part being in the service," he added.
He added that because of the new vehicles, they can assure Cebu City residents of a safer surrounding and a safe election.
"Daghan na tag makita nga police response, dili na ma-delay although naa ta'y area nga kung asa ang crime prone area nga kinahanglan ilang response dali ra kaayo maadto," he said. (FREEMAN)