Love, fear, security: PNP on alert

COUPLES displaying too much affection in public today will be reprimanded, said acting Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Mariano Natuel Jr. in relation to the Valentine’s Day security plan.

All Cebu City Station commanders will be on alert in the city today.

Natuel said crimes such as stabbing and robbery may most likely happen today as couples are expected to date in different areas.

“Naay usahay magubot kay masakpan nag-date ug lain or naa say uban mag-date then mo-take advantage pud ang mga tulisan (Sometimes trouble comes when some are caught dating somebody else or some would be dating and robbers take advantage),” explained Natuel.

Lovers’ lane

Natuel said areas that are considered “lovers’ lane” will strictly be monitored to prevent crimes.

Natuel, who is a previous Lapu-Lapu City Director, recalled during his service in the city more than four years ago, and said there have been consecutive stabbing incidents every Valentine’s Day before.

He said that for nearly three consecutive years, they did not arrest the culprits of the said stabbing every Valentine’s Day.

But he said that due to their in-depth investigation, they were able to arrest one person who was reportedly the suspect in many stabbing incidents that happened on Valentine’s Days.

“It turned out that person was reportedly broken-hearted as her ex-girlfriend broke up with him on Valentine’s Day. So, every year, on that day, he stabs random couples,” explained Natuel.

No records

Sun.Star Cebu tried to get the said police report about the incident, but records were not available as this happened four to five years ago.

Natuel said that in Cebu City, he had not yet heard of any similar incident.

“It is better to prevent these. Because we could not predict the minds of people,” he added.