Treñas orders checking of lights in barangays to deter crimes
As part of the city's crime prevention program, City Mayor Jerry Treñas issued a memorandum order to the city's 180 barangay captains to check on the status of High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights in their areas. They were directed to report on whether all the HPS lights in their area are still functioning.
Treñas said a well-lighted area could deter bad elements from pursuing their plans. It will discourage the commission of crimes, he added.
The mayor said damaged lights would immediately be replaced.
Well-lighted streets at night is a must in a fast- growing highly urbanized city as well as prevent or minimize street crimes and vehicular accidents, Treñas said.
The city is paying more than P8 million in power bills every month to light-up streetlights, district and barangay gymnasiums, barangay halls, health centers, public markets and city government offices.
Precinct commanders and punong barangays are enjoined to call the city electrician at 3367693 or 3375666 to report the nonfunctioning HPS lamps.
Treñas also reiterated his call for the barangay officials and barangay tanods to help in the campaign against criminalities.
The intensified anti-criminality drive is in response to the series of murders in the city involving prominent people such as the death of former Iloilo Provincial Fire Marshall Supt. Casiano del Castillo; Adelina Palma Bermejo, aunt of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago; and American national Daniel Chabra. The death of Eddie Pedrajas, a close aide of an alleged drug lord likewise created a noise.
Meanwhile, Treñas said the police has a strong evidence to pin down the suspect in Bermejo's death. Probers only await the affidavit of one of Bermejo's children before the complaint is filed. The police is expected to file the complaint against the suspect within this week.
Treñas issued the statement to the media after he was briefed yesterday by Jaro police chief Senior Inspector Harry Decena on the status of Bermejo's case. In earlier interview, Decena said the suspect is a former house help of Bermejo's sister Liberty. He refused to identify the suspect pending the filing of robbery with homicide complaint before the City Prosecutors Office.
The victim succumbed to fatal stab wounds on her body. A 12-inch knife was still tucked on Bermejo's back when found by her sister Rose inside her residence in Kahirup Village, Cubay, Jaro last August 28, 2008. Bermejo, 73, is a nurse and a US pensioner.
Aside from Bermejo's case, the two also discussed the logistical needs of the Jaro police station. Jaro is one of the biggest districts in the city. It has two "baby precincts," one in Barangay Quintin Salas and the other in Sambag. The Sambag baby precinct takes care of barangays San Isidro, Ungka, Dungon A, Dungon B, Cuartero and Kalubihan, said Treñas. (With a report from PNA)