Sunday, August 03, 2008 Mexico police post zero complaint, crime? By Jovi T. de Leon
MEXICO -- "Prevention is better than cure."
This is the subtle battle cry of new Mexico Police Chief Ferdinand Perez and his men who have adapted to post zero complaints and major crime activities in July.
Municipal police operations chief Arsenio Gopez disclosed that the peace and order situation in the town is in a manageable level, with the crime rate dropping to 50 percent compared to the same period last year.
Gopez said this is largely due to the intensive anti-crime drive launched by the Mexico police as outlined by Perez who personally oversees and monitors details for the security and safety of the town's residents, with particular emphasis on safeguarding businesses and public utilities.
"Now, people in Mexico, businessmen and local residents alike, have felt that added measure of security in their daily activities, whether tending to their stores, picking up their children from school or simply walking home at night," Gopez quipped.
He added that 93 percent of the Mexico police are regularly deployed in high-risk areas and territories where criminals normally pounce on helpless victims.
"As you will see, we now have very high police visibility in and around the Municipal Hall, the public market, along Ninoy Aquino byway, up to the commercial districts where SM and Wilcon Depot are located. Our Cambilan (police visibility point) in Lagundi has proven to be an effective deterrent particularly to the notorious motorcycle-riding men who had been responsible for the spate of hold-ups and snatching in the area. We also have uniformed men posted in these establishments who are ready and equipped to respond to any type of situation and emergency. The result last month has been zero complaints and criminal activity especially in this area," Gopez said.
He said Perez has directed the entire municipal police force to remain vigilant to protect the Mexicanos' welfare. Foot patrols and mobile patrols continue to make round-the-clock round of the town proper, business establishments and subdivisions. A nightly anti-criminality checkpoint led by Chief Inspector Carlito Fabro has continued to score and scale-up the Mexico police's drive against crime.
However, the claims by police officials here about last month's zero crime are contrary to the reported killing by motorcycle-riding men of a known supporter of former mayor Ernesto Punzalan here on July 13.
The victim, Danilo Lalu, was killed while he was inside their compound at Sitio Troso, Barangay Lagundi.
Police said the still unidentified killers approached Lalu and shot him at close range. The victim sustained three bullet wounds.
Lalu is the third supporter of Punzalan who was murdered in this town.
Early last year, retired Army Colonel Wilfredo Munar was shot dead near his home in Barangay San Jose. He was walking with his grandson when he was repeatedly shot by still unidentified assailants.
Munar, an outspoken critic of this town's incumbent Mayor Teddy Tumang, filed graft case against the mayor in connection with the demolition and renovation of the town hall.
Late last year, Mario Ramin was also shot dead by unidentified assailants.
Before the 2007 elections, Ramin accused Tumang of offering him P1 million to kill Munar, an allegation that the mayor denied.
