Leonardia: Bacolod needs additional cops
BACOLOD CITY — Mayor Evelio Leonardia admitted yesterday that Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) lacks personnel compared to other local government units (LGU) which has lesser population than the City of Bacolod.
This matter was raised after Leonardia met yesterday with newly designated BCPO-OIC Director Sr. Supt. Celestino Guarra. Leonardia said that there is a big disparity compared to Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) as far as police multipliers are concerned.
BCPO has only 420 police force covering total population of more than half a million while ICPO had 600 police personnel serving the population of only more than 419,000.
“If we want to reach the status of Iloilo, we need additional 312 policemen and I would like to bring this matter to the PNP leadership,” Leonardia said.
He emphasized to Guarra to strengthen “police visibility” or foot patrol during nighttime to ensure the safety of the public.
He also ordered Guarra to deploy personnel in all major thoroughfares especially the establishments along Lacson Street. Leonardia said that since Masskara Festival is past approaching, he believes that Guarra is on a “high gear” preparing his security plan and program for this activity just what happened in last year’s Masskara Festival which was considered the most peaceful celebration ever with zero-casualties reported.
Leonardia yesterday welcomed the program introduced by Guarra called “Text-A-Crime Project” to ensure the quick response time of Bacolod Police. He also emphasized to the newly designated Police Chief to take a look on the latest survey that Bacolod City Police Office ranks no. 7 among the police station in Western Visayas.
On the other hand, Sr. Supt. Guarra vowed to establish a Local Tourist Police to ensure the safety of all Koreans studying English language here in the City of Bacolod. He said that this Tourist Police will also work hand-in-hand for the safety of all call centers agents who mostly go to work late at night.