Paz not happy with police's performance

CEBU, Philippines - Owing to the surge in the number of petty crimes in Lapu-Lapu City last year, Mayor Paz Radaza said she is not satisfied with police's performance.

In a recent press conference, Radaza expressed she is not happy with how the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office performed in 2014, urging the office to work "double time" this year.

The occurrence of petty crimes in the city escalated last year, according to Radaza's New Year's message last January 5, although the mayor did not cite specific figures.

If these crimes go unstopped, Radaza fears local tourism might be affected.

"If we want to further push our city brand to attract tourists and be an attractive tourist destination, we must first ensure that peace and order in the city is well maintained," she said.

Radaza emphasized that she wants an all-out war against petty crimes and drugs this year as she assured the police that the city government will support anti-crime efforts of police and barangays.

Meanwhile, Police Senior Supt. Armando Radoc, acting LLCPO chief, said yesterday for this year, they have stepped up their anti-crime efforts through comprehensive deployment system, more checkpoints and foot patrol wherein officers are set to regularly rove different barangays.

Last December, he visited the five police stations in the city and gave instructions and guided the station police chiefs in maintaining the peace and order of the city, he said.

"They can disseminate the information (to their constituents) so that we will work and focus in one direction," Radoc added.— Christell Fatima M. Tudtud (FREEMAN)