Leonardia: Bacolod still relatively peaceful

BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia has assured the public that Bacolod is relatively peaceful, despite the recent robbery at F & C pawnshop near Central Market, Bacolod City Saturday.

“I am telling Bacolod City Police Director Senior Supt. Edgardo Ordaniel and the police force not to allow this to happen again,” said the mayor.

Leonardia also appealed to the general public not to create even more confusion and instill fear in the people because it will only worsen the situation.

“Please do not blow this out of proportion,” he said.

“These things can happen but, overall, the police are doing a good job. This should serve as a stern warning to all the police not to allow themselves to be embarrassed,” Leonardia pointed out.

The mayor also chided Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Frank Carbon who earlier lamented that the series of robbery incidents in the city has become alarming and that this might drive investors away.

“Let us hear from those who are not political in nature,” said Leonardia in reaction to the statement of Carbon who is running under the Liberal Party for a seat in the city council this coming May election.

According to the mayor, Bacolod City Police Director Senior Supt. Edgardo Ordaniel assured him that the police are doing their best to capture the suspects.

"While we set a high standard, it does not mean that we are not in control of the situation. The city is relatively peaceful. The robbers or crime group strikes in the city because the atmosphere here is not war-torn and they found the city to be conducive to their operation. But they have now gotten the ire of the police who don't want to be embarrassed," he said.

Police are also checking on the political motive of this incident because they have noticed that, every time the election nears, these incident also happen. (CNC)