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Thursday, January 27, 2005
Give us names, show us photos: dads
Names and pictures of Cebu City’s “Crime Suppression Team” members are to be submitted to the Cebu City Council to establish their identities before officials.
Vice Mayor Michael Rama wants to know who these policemen are because even he, who heads the Police Coordinating and Advisory Council (PCAC), does not know them or had any knowledge of the team’s creation.
The police team was formed on Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s order to “neutralize and permanently disable” criminals. They are currently training members under the supervision of the mayor’s cousin, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board 7 Director Rogelio “Jingjing” Osmeña.
Jingjing’s role
Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem promised to provide the council with names of the team’s members as well as their photos and background.
The mayor has tasked Jingjing, also chairman of the Cebu Pistol and Rifle Association, to pick the top 28 shooters in the Cebu City Police Office to compose the team.
Osmeña has been criticized by Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for forming the elite police team and inspiring vigilante-style killings in the city starting last December.
Jakosalem and Councilor Procopio Fernandez sponsored a resolution asking for an allocation of P48,000 for the purchase of 30 sets of camouflage uniforms for the team members.
Each of the 28 team member’s uniform is estimated to cost P1,600. Each set comes with four round-neck colored shirts.
Multi-tasking
Fernandez heads the City Council committee on police, fire and penology.
The council approved the allocation yesterday without much discussion.
Jakosalem said the team is “multi-tasked” and will respond to all sorts of crimes, such as running after robbers, illegal drug users, drug pushers and car thieves.
They may even apprehend traffic violators while they are on the road, Jakosalem added, and will be issued temporary operator’s permit (TOPs).
Earlier, Jakosalem said that after the uniforms are delivered, he will request for an office for the team, personnel, computers, and long firearms.
Connections to the computer networks of the Land Transportation Office as well as the warrants and subpoena section of the Cebu City Police Office will also be established. (RHM)
(January 27, 2005 issue)
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