Saturday, September 13, 2008 Gwen to help settle dispute
ALARMED by the increasing crime rate, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday announced she will try to mediate in the bickering between the legislative and executive branches of the Mandaue City Government.
The Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) has reported that the total crime volume in the city rose by 13.6 percent, from 411 incidents from January to August 2007 to 467 cases in the same period this year.
“Klaro gyud kaayo nga nisaka ang (There’s an obvious increase in the) total crime volume by almost 14 percent,” Garcia told reporters.
She attributed this to the much-publicized political conflict between the town council and the mayor, which she said hampered the authorities’ efforts to maintain peace and order.
“I will really stay in the middle and try as much as possible to see both sides. I’m taking it as my responsibility. I hope that the city officials of Mandaue would give me a chance to talk to them,” the governor said.
While the police is a national organization, it often depends on local government support, such as in the purchase of vehicles and the provision of incentives for employees.
In September last year, Mandaue’s executive and legislative branches disagreed over how the City should acquire police cars. The disagreement centered on whether the City should buy new vehicles or lease them and put off the purchase until 2008.
Senior Supt. Rodel Calungsod, MCPO chief, reported that index crimes, or crime against persons, rose by 16 percent, from 231 cases in January to August 2007 to 268 cases in the same period this year.
Police also said that non-index crimes in Mandaue City rose by 10.5 percent.
“Among the index crimes, physical injury, robbery and theft, show an increasing trend, while homicide, carnapping and rape show a downgrade trend,” Calungsod said in his report during the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) 7 quarterly meeting at the Capitol Social Hall.
The police also reported that the average monthly crime rate in the city has increased from 2.1 percent in 2007 to 15.6 percent this year.
However, the police also solved more crimes. Its crime solution efficiency rose from 76 percent in 2007 to 79 percent this year.
The MCPO explained that “common crimes” such as theft, robbery, gambling and drug addiction are “usual occurrences” for a highly urbanized city, where large populations converge in the industrial, commercial and urban poor areas.
The city’s police office also blamed the lack of mobile patrol vehicles to immediately respond to crimes.
Calungsod also asked to upgrade the MCPO to address the shortage of personnel and logistical support.
Regional Police Office 7 Director Ronald Roderos said that the MCPO vowed to reduce crime rate in the city and that the regional police will keep monitoring their work.
Still in yesterday’s meeting, Garcia expressed her disappointment over the Lapu-lapu City Police Office’s failure to present its report on the city’s peace and order situation.
Police Director Senior Supt. Mariano Natuel explained that there was a “communication lapse” between his office and the radio operator, which is why he failed to present his report.
Natuel said he already ordered an investigation on why his radio operator failed to inform him about the supposed presentation.
Garcia also congratulated members of the RPOC in Central Visayas after it was adjudged the Best Peace and Order Council for its “exemplary performance and service delivered.”
It outperformed 17 other councils in the country.
Garcia, chairperson of the RPOC 7, challenged members of the council to maintain their performance for the council to stay on top. (GMD)
