Habal-habal drivers tapped in campaign against criminality

CEBU, Philippines —  After the proposed centralized radio system for faster response, another station commander in Cebu City is looking at tapping habal-habal (motorcycles-for-hire) drivers and members of social groups, including fraternities and sororities, to help them fight crimes in the city.

Police Major Timothy Jim Romanillos, the newly assigned acting head of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO)-Police Station (PS) 10, or Labangon Police Station, said he wants to enlist habal-habal drivers as force multipliers.

“Nakita nako nga daghan kaayo ta og habal-habal drivers.  Kung ato ni silang ma-organize, mas paspas ang information (gathering). Kani silang mga tawhana mao ni sila ang makasud sa pinakasud nga dili masud sa atong patrol,” he said via the Cebu City Public Information Office Sugbuanon channel.

Romanillos said habal-habal drivers can be of big help, as they are familiar of the areas of the barangays, especially in mountain barangays under PS 10’s jurisdiction.

This plan would start in his own jurisdiction, which covers not only Labangon but also barangays Punta Princesa, Tisa, Quiot, and mountain barangays Toong and Buhisan.

 “Kung naa man ganey mahitabo diha, ma-report nila nato ug maaksyonan dayun nato. Mas dali ang atong paghatag og serbisyo sa katawhan,” Romanillos said.

In particular, he said habal-habal drivers can help in their campaign against crime, especially illegal drug activities.

He said, though, that the drivers would have to undergo careful scrutiny before they will be tapped to help the police force.

Romanillos stressed that they do not mean to discriminate, but they are also aware that not all habal-habal drivers have good moral standing or have the right dispositions.

“Una, ato gyud sila i-identify. Aside nga makakuha ta og information sa ilaha, ato ni sila magamit…. Kung makuha nato ning mga tawhana nga na-involve dati sa illegal (activities), maduol sila sa PNP, moiwas nani sila sa ilang binuhatan dati,” Romanillos said.

Aside from habal-habal drivers, Romanillos also plans to recruit members of fraternities and sororities in his peace and order campaign.

“Kani man gud mga fraternities and sororities, organized naman gud sila daan. So mas dali na ang pagpasa sa information kay organized naman sila, ang ato nalang sila i-manage,” Romanillos said.

Romanillos believes that they, too, can help come up with a solution to a problem.

“Once ma-manage nato sila, mas daghan tang magtinabangay sa peace and order, mas dali ang atong action kung unsa man ganey problema,” he said.

Romanillos, who was appointed to his post only last week, also plans to coordinate with barangays under his jurisdiction and to enlist the tanods for a far better peace and order campaign.

He has set his mind on this plan after discovering that there are three grocery chains, three banks, 21 pawnshops, 12 automated teller machine (ATM) outlets, 12 gas stations, and 17 drug stores, among others, in his area of jurisdiction.

With Christmas, New Year, and the Sinulog season just around the corner, Romanillos said he anticipates petty crimes, such as theft, to happen.

He cited as an example that before he took over, PS 10 personnel had arrested a 38-year-old man who was caught on camera entering a laundry shop in Barangay Labangon early last month.

He said they are going to intensify police patrols along F. Llamas St. to deter the presence of thieves and burglars while also expected to meet with business owners to discuss his security plans with them soon.

An inspection of business establishments is also in the works to ensure that they have CCTV cameras, alarm systems, and other security features.

Earlier, a centralized radio system in Cebu City’s downtown area had been proposed by P/Major Erwin Abrasado, Carbon Police’s new station commander, to help monitor and apprehend criminals.

Maj. Abrasado, who was transferred from Mandaue City to Cebu City only a few weeks ago, said he just wanted a faster response to any incident here and not because of an increasing crime rate within Carbon Police’s jurisdiction, as it is easier to communicate using the walkie-talkie than mobile phones.