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Wednesday, September 10, 2003
Multisectoral body formed to fight crime
By Christine Mae A. Pelayo
A MULTISECTORAL group was formed to combat crimes in Negros Occidental, especially in Bacolod City, in the heels of the reported increase in crimes, the more controversial of which remains unsolved.
The creation of the Crusade against Crime and Corruption followed speculations and concern that Bacolod City has become a haven of murderers, kidnappers and law-breakers in the wake of the series of salvagings and abductions, the latter allegedly perpetrated by members of the notorious gang whose members have remained scot-free until now.
Even the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-Negros Occidental Chapter also spearheaded a crusade in the fight against crimes.
Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon Tuesday held an emergency Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting with top military and police officials, including representatives from various government agencies and local government units.
Senior Supt. Felix Muchada, deputy regional director for administration, who was in Bacolod City Tuesday instructed Bacolod city Police Director George Bajelot to create a task force to fight criminalities in the city.
Muchada said the task force will focus on the investigation on the recent kidnappings and killings in the city, particularly on the case of former village head of Barangay Pahanocoy, Eleuterio Salabas, who is missing until now.
Salabas was last seen alive Sunday while his two other companions, residents of Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental, were shot dead on the head, their bodies found separately in Bago City and Pulupandan.
Muchada disclosed the task force is composed of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) with Bajelot as task force commander.
The task force members include the Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (Noppo), Crime Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), crime laboratory and some non-government organizations.
“I assure (the Negrenses) the task force will take action against the cases but there should be cooperation from the people,” said Muchada.
On the other hand, the Liga ng mga Barangay (Barangay League) and the Liga ng mga Barangay Kagawad (Barangay Councilmen's League) stressed that the city is still livable contrary to reports that the city has become a dangerous place.
Councilor Arturo Parreño, president of the Liga ng mga Barangay, was quoted as saying, “We remain clean, green and peaceful; robberies, killings, shootings, drug addictions and other crimes can happen anywhere, anytime because of the economic situation which is beyond the control of the local police.”
Francisco Doctora, president of the Liga ng mga Barangay Kagawad, on the other hand, scored Romeo Baldevarrona, Commission on Human Rights provincial head, for saying that “the city seemed to be more dangerous to live in than a forest filled with ferocious and dangerous animals.”
“It is a very sweeping statement that is tantamount to sowing fear among our people,” said Doctora.
Doctora added that people in the 61 barangays in the city continue to enjoy a normal life amid the highest standard of peace and order.
Lawyer Janus Jarder, an official of the IBP-Negros Occidental Chapter, spearheaded the Crusade against Crime and Corruption, which was launched Tuesday.
Jarder disclosed that members of the crusade include former Bacolod Rep. John Orola and other concerned sectors.
Jarder added the body was created to pressure authorities to go after lawbreakers, noting that Bacolod City has become a city of fear and terror where there is an alarming rise of criminality.
“The city has become a graveyard for salvaging and playground for abduction and other crimes because of the cold response from the police and apathy of some officials in the government,” said Jarder.
He further said IBP will help the city in its fight against criminality.
The City Council likewise passed a resolution expressing grave concern over the "worsening peace and order situation in the city."
The council requested the BCPO to take a strong and determined effort to address the rising criminality and to submit a written report on the action taken to the city government.
Jarder further said they might recommend the reassignment of the chief of police. “It is common knowledge that there is yet no specific solution on the criminality in the city,” said Jarder.
He added that he was informed by Muchada that BCPO has failed to report the latest salvaging incidents in the city.
Lawyer Gilfredo Geolingo, president of the IBP, clarified that IBP has not come up yet with an official statement on the alleged resolution calling for the resignation of Bajelot.
He earlier said IBP has yet to meet with Bajelot and hear his side regarding the matter.
But Muchada said there is no problem with Bajelot’s lifestyle.
“We monitor the lifestyles of the police and there is no problem with Bajelot, only on the (police’s) accomplishment,” said Muchada.
He told Bajelot to reach out to the community and conduct consultation with the people.
(September 10, 2003 issue)
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