CEBU, Philippines - Governor Roel Degamo, as chairman of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), yesterday lashed at the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOrPPO) for its alleged failure to submit reports about the spate of killings in Dumaguete City and other parts of the province, despite his earlier directive to that effect.
Degamo enjoined the police to enhance their capabilities in solving crimes and bring the culprits to justice. He was worried that violence will continue unabated and will result in civilians arming themselves due to lack of trust in their police to protect lives and properties.
NOrPPO’s OIC director, Supt. Aleth Virtucio, had however assured the governor that his command has been doing its best to resolve the situation
Meanwhile, the Dumaguete City Council has reaffirmed its support and commitment to the Office of the City Mayor to stop the culture of violence that is happening in the city.
Vice Mayor Woodrow Maquiling, in a privilege speech at the session hall, said human life must be respected first because it is sacred, and the constitution provides that life must be protected the moment it is conceived.
Maquiling said a government is not worthy of respect if it fails to assure its citizens security in their person and property. Streets and other public places should never be allowed to be used by criminal elements as zones of terror and enclaves of violence.
Crimes in the streets must be fought with vigor and with the power and resources of the government, he said, adding that everybody must do his share in preventing crimes otherwise investments will go away.
Councilor Manuel Arbon said he was worried that Dumagueteños will have the impression the police is inutile in solving crimes, and that Dumaguete will be tagged the city of killing fields instead of a city of gentle people.
“We (in the City Council) are willing to support the executive in terms of budget appropriation, logistics, fuel, communication equipment, gadgets and the like, but we need results. I’m doubly worried citizens will take up arms against criminal elements to defend themselves,†he said.
Councilor Nelson Patrimonio, for his part, said he will refile an ordinance proposed in 2003 providing for rules and regulations on the entry of transients and temporary visitors to Dumaguete. This proposed ordinance will empower barangay officials to document the presence of new faces in their respective areas and to even take pictures, as a way of deterring the occurrence of crime and aiding the police in their investigation.
Ex-officio Councilor Lionel Banogon, president of the Association of Barangay Council and Buñao village chief, supported the Patrimonio proposal but he wanted first that such measure will not violate certain laws, such as intrusion to privacy and human rights.
Councilor Lilani Ramon added that she was shocked to learn that detainees at the women’s dormitory of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Bajumpandan preferred to stay inside the jail instead of being freed from prison.
Inmates told her, during her visit there, that due to the killings around the city, involving drug personalities, they would rather stay inside the jail for security. Of the 72 female inmates, 75 percent are now facing drugs cases in court, Ramon added. (FREEMAN)