ILOILO City – A trigger-happy security guard riddled with bullets a food delivery man in broad daylight. An armed robber shot to death a concerned citizen who chased him. Are people in this city still safe?
An alarmed Councilor Carlos “Jojo” Javellana, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s committee on peace and order and police matters, pressed for the return of police checkpoints and enhancement of police visibility which are considered as crime deterrents.
Short of admitting that the current deployment of city policemen in the field may not be enough, Police Colonel Uldarico Garbanzos, director of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), said “We are increasing police presence on streets.”
Javellana is seeking a discussion with Garbanzos on how they could further intensify the police’s crime prevention campaign in this city made up of 180 barangays and with a population of nearly 500,000 people.
On Black Saturday, 19-year-old Carl Dominic Labuson of Leganes, Iloilo was shot dead by a suspected robber at the Metropolis residential subdivision in Barangay Tagbak, Jaro district. He used on his victim a .45 caliber handgun.
As this was being written, the armed and dangerous gunman remained at large.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said there should be no room for violence in this city.
“This is not the way things are done in a civilized society,” he said, urging the police to solve this latest killing as soon as possible.
But are these words enough to get the cops moving?
The Labuson family is offering P100,000 bounty to whoever could give information leading to the identification and arrest of the gunman.
Garbanzos vowed to deploy more policemen not only to watch over the city’s main streets but secondary roads as well.
“Aton man i-tap ang mga barangay officials and tanods to help us in roving,” Garbanzos told Panay News.
Three days prior to the Labuson case, on March 31, a 35-year-old food delivery man was shot to death on De Leon Street, Barangay Osmeña, City Proper.
The assassin – a bank security guard – fled but was arrested nine hours after in Antique province.
Police Brigadier General Rolando Miranda, director of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), said they are intensifying their campaign against loose firearms to further curb crimes not only in this city but across Western Visayas.
“Lahat na may mga warrant of arrest ay hulihin kasi minsan ginagamit sila na guns-for-hire. Lahat ng may mga armas na walang license hulihin rin through conduct of search warrant,” said Miranda.
The PRO-6 said they will focus on enhanced management police operations, including the deployment of patrol units, foot patrols and the conduct of 24/7 checkpoints, especially on motorcycle riders.
More police personnel will also be deployed on strategic areas. Intelligence officers shall also be utilized, Miranda added./PN
