City moves to neutralize ‘bukas kotse’ gangs
The city government is doing everything to neutralize “bukas kotse” gangs notoriously operating in the city the past few days.
City Mayor Jerry Treñas said the city government is offering cash rewards for police and individuals who can provide vital information which could lead to the identification and filing of cases against suspected members of Bukas Kotse/Basag Kotse Gang.
The cash reward system was conceptualized for the immediate resolution of Bukas Kotse/Basag Kotse cases in the city. The city has already released some P30,000 for the police stations that have initiated the arrest of suspected members of Bukas Kotse/Basag Kotse Gang.
Treñas said “the reward and punishment” concept is a basic human nature hinting it will draw out and encourage the police to work. Though, he said, with or without the cash reward the pressure is on the police to solve the crime.
Treñas stressed that the city government has been very supportive of the police. The city police has a monthly allocation of P300,000 for gasoline from the city government.
Meanwhile, Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) director Senior Supt. Melvin Mongcal has given his chiefs of police 15 days to arrest perpetrators of Bukas Kotse/Basag Kotse cases.
Mongcal said they are looking forward for the arrest of the suspects after one of the victims has identified the suspect. He said one of those involved in the crime is not from Iloilo.
He described the group “an organized group.” He refused to identify the suspects as it could affect the case build up. The police are set to file cases against the suspects and yearn for the immediate issuance of warrants of arrest against them.
Mongcal said the suspects are operating separately from the Padrones and Barrera groups recently arrested by police.
The arrest of Padrones and Barrera groups did not cripple the Bukas Kotse/Basag Kotse incidents in the city. Worst, their operation heightened. After the arrest, eight more cases were recorded.
Meanwhile, Mongcal appealed to car owners to protect their property by placing their valuables such as laptops, Ipod and jewelries in safe places other than leaving them inside their cars.
He also encouraged car owners to lock their cars and install warning devices to protect them from thieves.