CEBU, Philippines — Although petty crimes may seem less significant than the bigger crimes reported to police, acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Garcia has stressed that it should never be neglected.
With this, Garcia has ordered Cebu City Police Office chief, P/Col. Antonieto Cañete to look into the petty crimes happening lately in the city.
“Ang Cebu City bitaw maoy tunghaan sa mga criminal elements kay naa man gud diri ang daghang tawo. Mingaw ang ubang mga lugar so diri gyud sila mobuhat sa ilang criminal intention, like robbery,” Garcia said through the City’s information office.
“Kaning naay mangunguot that’s a price we have to pay for being a highly urbanized city, but it is no excuse for the police not to do their jobs,” he added.
Last week, a video went viral as it showed a group of pickpockets victimizing a churchgoer at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño while lighting a candle.
While he is pleased with police visibility in the city, Garcia instructed the police force to focus on public places including the place of worship.
“You have seen that all around already in Cebu City, nga ang atong mga patrol cars nga walo ka buok are really going around, nagsige na og tuyok ilang mga wang-wang. So I think we should also put emphasis on public places, not only the streets, on the roads… but also public places of worship, malls, etcetera,” said Garcia.
The acting mayor also said that he is pleased with how the police has carried out his order on ensuring that robberies in establishments, like pawnshops, will be prevented.
Last week, a simulation exercise was done by the CCPO along Leon Kilat Street, although it did cause some confusion to some who though a crime has transpired.
“Akong mando man gud ni Col. Cañete is I don’t want this happening again ang pagtulis. So, it was really an initiative ni Col Cañete, ni (City) Councilor Phillip Zafra nga i-specify gyud niya ang mga financial institutions, pawnshops, banks, etcerera,” sulti sa acting mayor.
“Gipangtapok niya, naay simulation, just so we can address particular problems, if ever, it (robbery) will happen again. Pro-active ang ilang gibuhat and I’m very happy nga nituman sila sa akong mando,” Garcia said. (CEBU NEWS)