PNP Dgte reiterates community stakeholder’s role in crime prevention

By Roi Lomotan

Dumaguete City Police Chief PLTC. Mark Gifter Sucalit giving an update on the peace and order situation in the city during the Kapihan sa PIA forum held Sept. 1, 2020 at the Provincial Convention Hotel, Dumaguete City. (PIA7-NegOr)

In line with the observance of the National Crime Prevention Week this September, the city police department here reiterates the crucial role of community stakeholders in crime prevention.

Speaking in a recent Kapihan sa PIA forum, Dumaguete City Police Chief PLTC. Mark Gifter Sucalit said law enforcement officers could have acted on a crime immediately if residents would report them to the police.

“Mao gyud nay akong nakita sa ground. When I go to barangay, there are problems in the barangay that did not reach sa office nato because of inaction. Wala gi-report. Kung gi-report na nato, so you did your job already (This is what I observed. There are problems in the barangays that did not reach our office because no one reported it. If the public reported this to the police, then they already did their job),” Sucalit said.

“I am encouraging the people. I-report lang ma-respondehan man. Ang problema kay giutong man. Moingon lang daghan pero dili mo-report (I am encouraging the people. We will respond if they will report to us. The problem is people will say there are a lot of incidents happening but they will not report it),” he added.

Citing incidents of “rugby boys” sightings in some places in the city as an example, Sucalit said they have yet to find out how many boys are actually involved in this because some people just tolerate them or would not report them.

However, he clarified that the city police is coordinating with the City Social Welfare and Development Office and the barangay on this matter, but stressed that the city police could have responded to this quickly if it was raised to their office.  

On the other hand, the city’s top cop also shared some measures their office implemented to enhance their responsiveness to crimes, such as the Motorcycle Anti-Street Crime Operative (MASCO) which Sucalit said can penetrate suburbs and alleys, and the revitalization of Pulis sa Barangay.

Sucalit underscored that these initiatives are also geared towards the empowerment of communities.

“Our way forward is really the empowerment of the people then the intelligence collection, intensifying information gathering. Lastly, collaboration, cooperation, and coordination sa atoang five pillars (sa Criminal Justice Sytem) because we believe security is everybody’s concern,” Sucalit said.

Dgte brgy tanod brigade joins basic self-defense training

By Jennifer Catan-Tilos

Barangay Tanods in Dumaguete City train not only to protect themselves but help prevent crimes through a self-defense exercise. (Photo courtesy of City PIO/PIA Negros Oriental)

 

Members of the Barangay Tanod Brigade, otherwise known as Barangay Peace and Order Security Officers (BPSO), from the 30 barangays in the city underwent a series of trainings for self-defense.

Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo said in recognition of their service, qualified tanods or BPSO will receive a cash incentive of P2,100 each from the city government on a quarterly basis or every three months.

BPSOs serve as force multipliers who conduct patrols and gather intelligence to prevent or solve crimes that may happen in their neighborhoods to ensure peace and order.

The training is organized by the City DILG and City Government so they could protect themselves while performing their duties.

BPSOs are under the direct supervision of the 30 Punong Barangays and the City Police.

Those who completed the training basically for knife and arnis techniques including the fire drill and lectures are eligible to receive the quarterly cash incentive from the city.

Fines collected from persons not wearing face masks reaches P500T

By Roi Lomotan

 PCol. Julian Entoma, Provincial Director of PNP-Negros Oriental, cites the total amount of fines collected from individuals who are not wearing face masks has reached P505,000. Entoma shared this information in a “Straight from the Source” press briefing organized by the Philippine Information Agency and the Negros Oriental Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force – Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) on May 12, 2020 at the IATF Multi-Agency Coordinating Center, Visionaire’s Lounge, Dumaguete City. (KAT/PIA7-NegOr)

The total amount of fines collected from individuals in Negros Oriental who were caught not wearing face masks has reached P505,000.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Negros Oriental Provincial Director PCol. Julian Entoma announced this in a press briefing held recently at the Visionaire’s Lounge, Dumaguete City.

Entoma said the fines already went to the different city and municipal treasurers’ offices across the province.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Oriental had already passed a resolution on the mandatory wearing of face mask as part of the precautionary measures against COVID-19.

First-time offenders will be fined P200, while the second offense is P500 and the third and subsequent offenses will be charged P1,000 with imprisonment of not more than one month.

Entoma noted most of the violators were first-time offenders.

The provincial police director together with Dumaguete City Police Chief PLTC. Wilfredo Alarcon gave an update on the peace and order situation of the province amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Negros Oriental.

Entoma reported that the provincial police officers arrested and filed cases against 46 individuals for violating the province’s curfew ordinance.

He noted that the provincial police were given orders by their national office to arrest and file cases against curfew violators on April 21.

The provincial PNP only gave warning to those persons apprehended for violating the curfew regulation from April 3 to 20, 2020.

Meanwhile, Entoma also disclosed that officers from Sibulan Municipal Police Station together with operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) also arrested two individuals in Sibulan town last month for selling overpriced face masks while the province is under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

Another person was also arrested in Tanjay City for selling overpriced alcohol.

In Dumaguete City, Police Chief PLTC. Wilfredo Alarcon said a total of 122 persons were arrested and penalized for not wearing face masks while 69 individuals were arrested for going against the curfew regulation.

Aside from this, the city police have also conducted a massive operation against colorum drivers and motorcycle drivers who are not wearing helmets and face masks while driving in cooperation with the PNP-Highway Patrol Group (HPG) and the City Traffic Management Office (TMO).

This operation resulted in the impounding of 15 motorcycles at the HPG compound in Capitol Area, and 132 motorcycles at the TMO with 140 citation tickets issued by the TMO.

Alarcon reiterated the city law enforcement agency will continue to implement the guidelines set by the city government even though the city now under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) along with the rest of Negros Oriental.

“Naa man gyud na guidelines nato sa COVID-19. Ipadayon nato katong (pagdakop sa) not wearing of face mask, curfew nato magabie. Katong mga leisure acitivities na dili pwede pareha ng mag-jogging around the city, maligo sa kadagatan. Everytime naa tay makita ana, ato nang dakpon (We have guidelines against the spread of COVID-19. We will continue apprehending those who will not wear face masks and curfew violators. Leisure activities like jogging around the city and swimming in beaches are still prohibited and we will also apprehend those people who will do this),” Alarcon said.

To this, Entoma also urged everyone to continue to stay at home since there is still no proven vaccine against COVID-19.