City moves to address series of killings
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas has ordered an increased police visibility and intensified intelligence gathering in the wake of successive killings in the city.
Treñas directed Sr. Supt. Bartolome Tobias, Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) director, to beef up police visibility in the different parts of the city. The mayor said he wants to see cops fielded on the streets than see them doing administrative works in the police station and worst act as drivers.
Treñas asked Tobias to solve the killings of American national Daniel Chabra, Eddie Pedrajas, Iloilo Provincial Fire Marshall Casiano del Castillo and the recent incident which victimized 74-year old Adelina Palma-Bermejo, aunt of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
The four murder incidents happened in a span of one month.
Treñas also instructed all police station commanders to coordinate with barangay officials and conduct briefings with barangay tanods. A meeting with the homeowners associations of various subdivisions is also encouraged to strengthen and upgrade their own security.
On his part, Tobias said he has already requested the Police Regional Office 6 for additional police personnel to cover the needs of police-to-civilian ratio.
The city's top cop assured that they are still on top of the situation. Complaints are being readied against the suspects in the Pedrajas, Del Castillo and Palma-Bermejo murder. While, police are still trying to get additional leads and witnesses on the death of the American national