City lacks cops

By Maricar M. Calubiran

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said the city needs additional policemen to maintain peace and order all over the metropolis.

The current ratio of policeman to civilian is 1:1,700. The ideal ratio is 1:5. He said, there is a deficit of 1,695 cops for every civilian.

The authority to hire additional policemen lies on the national government. The extent of operational supervision and control of local executives over police force, fire protection unit and jail management personnel assigned in the respective jurisdiction shall be governed by provisions of Republic Act 6975 otherwise known was the Department of Interior and Local Government Act of 1990.

Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) presently has 526 men scattered in six police precincts.

However, Iloilo City Police Director Senior Supt. Norlito Bautista laments that the PNP national headquarters did not give clearance for the hiring of additional policemen for Iloilo City.

Treñas said in order to address the deficiency of cops, the barangay tanods were trained to help maintain peace and order in their respective barangays. Tanods are merely armed with truncheons unlike cops who have issued firearms.

He added that among the largest districts in the city, Mandurriao is the biggest area that needs the presence of policemen. Commercial establishments, bars and restaurants mushroomed in the area.

The mayor added that the presence of a satellite precinct in Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao would not only help curb the illegal drugs problem in the area but also deter the commission of the crime.