PNP, NBI vow to work together for Palaro, Cebu City's security

CEBU, Philippines — Security preparations for the Palarong Pambansa 2024 in Cebu City next month are all set with different agencies assuring that they will work together to ensure the peaceful conduct of the major sporting event.

In a courtesy call to Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia last June 18, 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) -7, and Police Regional Office (PRO)-7, vowed that they will work together for the Palaro’s security, as well as for the general peace and order in the city.

In an interview with the media after the courtesy call, Garcia said the joint action of the agencies translates to “strong support” to combat criminality in the city at all times, not just for the Palarong Pambansa.

But for the Palarong Pambansa 2024 most importantly, Garcia stressed the importance of strict security measures as there will be at least 14,000 athletes expected to participate.

“Not to count their trainers, not to count their coaches, as well as their staff plus ilang family pa, muabot og 25,000. So ako gyung giingon nila nga tabangi tawon ang Cebu City sa Palaro, especially on the augmentation,” said Garcia.

As both the NBI and the PNP are essential agencies for safekeeping, Garcia emphasized on the significance that both leaders come forward to show their unity in the combat against crimes.

At the same time, Garcia also extended his “all-out support” to the PNP and the NBI.

“I am just showing them to be able to fight crime, we also have to work together kay kahibaw bitaw ta ang NBI ug ang PNP dili kaayo na sila mu coordinate before sa mga panahon sauna,” said Garcia.

“Pero karon, grabe na gyud ilang coordination in fact they were telling me nga daghan kaayong mga ebidensya ang NBI nga ila ng gitunol sa PNP,” he added.

The acting mayor further expressed his satisfaction with the law enforcement agencies, specifically on the fast-tracking of prosecution of criminal elements.

In a separate interview, DOJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano IV told the media that it was a fruitful courtesy call for them, saying that they wanted to make sure that Garcia would get the full support of both agencies.

Clavano said it is important for them to show that law enforcement is united.

According to Clavano, this united front also follows the memorandum circular of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Boying Remulla in taking the significance of “case building-up rule.”

“Under this rule, the law enforcement agents, both NBI, PNP, as well as immigration, PDEA even, all law enforcement agents are supposed to work hand-in-hand now with prosecutors,” said Clavano.

He said that this is to establish the strength of the evidence from the very beginning of the case buildup.

Clavano also said that it boils down to having the presence of the DOJ at the crime scene to be able to immediately extract the evidence.

According to him, this system would allow the DOJ, to be with the law enforcement from the very beginning, which would also allow them to identify the witnesses, hence, a stronger case to be filed in court.

“We want to increase our conviction rate, we want cases to be filed in court, where of quality only,” said Clavano. – /ATO (FREEMAN)