City beefs up police visibility following series of robberies
Iloilo City cops are intensifying police visibility in the city's business center following subsequent robberies in the nearby provinces of Guimaras and Aklan.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas recently coordinated with Police Regional Office 6 (PRO 6) Director C/Supt. Geary Barias on the deployment of additional police personnel to augment the city's police force especially during nighttime.
As a result Barias recently ordered the deployment of 38 newly recruited male and female police personnel in the city's business district starting 6 p.m.
The cops from the regional headquarters are posted near malls and schools and along the busy streets to assure the public of their safety as they commute from their offices and schools to their respective destinations.
The police deployment would also deter the commission of crimes by lawless elements.
It can be noted that City Councilor Julienne Baronda in last week's session of the Sangguniang Panglungsod raised alarm over rampant cases of cellphone snatching, pickpocketing, and burglary in the city.
Baronda called on Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) director Senior Supt. Norlito Bautista to take steps in curbing these petty crimes even as she suspects that it is being perpetrated by a syndicate operating in the city.
Sunday last week, the Rural Bank of San Enrique in Jordan, Guimaras was robbed by three suspects led by a certain Johnny Contigo. Some P378,000 were carted away by robbers who are still being hunted by policemen.
In Aklan, the Rural Bank of Makato was robbed by suspected members of the Acetylene Gang last Friday. Police said the suspects took from the bank's vault P336,000 then fled to unknown direction.
As such, Barias directed police chiefs in the six provinces of the region to be on alert as the suspects may just be hiding within the area.
To note, PRO 6 has yet to find the suspects in the kidnapping of Filipino-Chinese businessman William Lim last month.
Lim was reportedly released by his kidnappers after news of the abduction reached the media. The family announced that they did not shell out ransom money for Lim's release.
Bautista eventually ordered random checkpoints in various parts of the city to avert further attempts against other businessmen.
Meanwhile, Treñas declared that this city remains a safe place for those who would like to put up a business. Likewise, he stressed that the business sector and the city police are in good working relations with the latter enjoying the full support and cooperation of the former in all their endeavors.
Treñas said he frequently meets with the business group in the city and they relayed to him their confidence on the city policemen in providing them security.
(With reports from PNA)