For quick response to crimes: SWAT patrols at dawn

CEBU, Philippines — Following the spate of killings here, a team of personnel from the Special Weapons and Tactics has augmented security in Cebu City from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.

Senior Insp. Arieza Otida, deputy chief of the Police Community Relations office and spokesperson of the Cebu City Police Office said the team patrols the city, particularly in areas where people frequent.

“Between 1 to 5 a.m. na ilang deployment ari sa places like restobars and malls… mao na iya (Cebu City Police chief Royina Garma) instruction… and usa na sila ka team mo-duty. Ang ilaha ang immediate response. Mag-roving all over the city ang ilaha. Pwede arresting, but i-refer to the station concerned. Ang station na mu-file for the case, but sila na arresting officer,” Otida said.

“Wala na gipa-standby sa headquarters kay, before, mag-wait ra man sila (SWAT) for response or alarma. Kani, giapil sila og deploy. Labi na gikan sila training sila urban assault,” Otida said.

Otida clarified that the SWAT team, which is composed of eight personnel, use their own assault car during patrol and not on board vehicles of the Mobile Patrol Group (MPG), as what Garma initially wanted to happen and what Mayor Tomas Osmeña wants.

“Crime prevention ni. They will be bringing with them their own assault car for roving. Before, niingon siya ikuyog sa MPG pero karon, gusto gyud separate sila kay lain man gud sila og tasking,” Otida said.

Otida said further that the team is also helping the city implement City Ordinance 1361 or the unlawful posting or putting up of graffiti.

Dawn yesterday, the team arrested 22-year-old Jemoy Diocson Ubal, a resident of Barangay Mambaling, for vandalism along C. Padilla Street in Barangay San Nicolas.

“Apil na siya (vandalism). Prior to that niingon na siya (mayor) nga apil ang vandalism ordinance kay hugaw na kaayo ang walls sa city,” Otida said.

Since she assumed office last month, Garma pulled out at least 180 cops from the city police headquarters and assigned them to different police stations to augment personnel.

Offices such as the Crime Scene Investigation, Theft and Robbery and Section, and Homicide Section were dissolved so that more cops can be deployed in the streets.

But efforts of police to curb criminality are marred by allegations – even from Osmeña – that no less than the police force is behind the killings here.

Osmeña’s statement came after the supposed assassination attempt against his supporter, Barangay Tejero councilman Jessielou Cadungog.

Cadungog’s driver, William Macaslang, Jr. shot and killed the alleged suspect who turned out to be a policeman, PO3 Eugene Calumba.

The police were quick to say that Calumba and his companion at that time, police asset Michael Banua, were but conducting surveillance in Barangay Tajero where the supposed assassination attempt happened.

Shortly after, Osmeña decided to cut the funds for maintenance and repair of the 90 vehicles the city has issued to the police.

The mayor said later that he may restore the funds if the SWAT team will work with the MPG.

Collaboration

Last Friday, Garma attended the first police and barangay coordination conference called “Ugnayan sa mga Barangay Officials” at the Mariner’s Court, which was attended by non-government agencies, police, and officials from Barangay Tejero.

“Para makahibaw sila sa role in the fight against drugs, aron magtinabanagy ang barangay and pulis,” Otida said.

It was reportedly the Tejero officials who asked the police for guidance in addressing the persistent problem of illegal drugs in the barangay.

The Tejero officials have reportedly expressed fear over the killings here, particularly after the alleged kill attempt on Cadungog.

Otida said the barangay-led coordination will help erase doubts from residents of Tejero that the police had something to do with Cadungog’s case. (FREEMAN)