City gov't supportive of ICPO, says Treñas
Despite the series of killings and grenade throwing incidents here, mayor Jerry Treñas is still very supportive to the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO). The city government is planning to buy additional police vehicles to improve their mobility.
Treñas said the city government will purchase four motorcycle units. Two units are intended for the waterfront police detachment and the other two units would be given to the city police. Last Friday, the city government also turned-over a brand new Nissan Sentra to the Mandurriao police precinct.
The procurement of the police vehicles is the city's solution to the number of crimes particularly the illegal drugs trafficking which if not resolved will create a negative impact on the city's economy and peace and order.
The city government provided the Mandurriao police precinct additional vehicle after the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) made public the illegal drug problem in Smallville complex particularly in three establishments.
The mobility of the police in conducting patrols and in responding to police calls is affected by the lack of vehicles. The availability of vehicles in different police precincts is essential in the fight against criminality and keeping peace and order in the locality, said Treñas.
Aside from providing vehicles to the police, Treñas is also considering hiring civilian employees to handle the administrative work so policemen could focus on police work. The chief executive wants to increase police visibility in the city to thwart any criminal activities.
Treñas said he has instructed Senior Supt. Bartolome Tobias to check on the number of required civilian employees to do the administrative work. The city will allocate funds for the hiring of casual employees.