AN OFFICIAL of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) on Monday, November 26, maintained that the police are still on top of the peace and order situation and that the city remains safe amid two gun attacks staged last week involving a high-raking cop and a village official.
Cocpo spokesperson Superintendent Mardy Hortillosa II said the attempt on the lives of Superintendent Michael John Deloso last Tuesday and Barangay 3 councilor Jonathan Borja last Friday was saddening but it served a stern warning and lesson that no one is immune from any crime.
"Nasubo ang Cocpo sa sunod-sunod nga pagpamusil sa dakbayan bisan paman sa hugot nga pagbantay. Pero nagtuo kami nga bisan paman sa kahugot sa among seguridad dili kini maka-assure sa 100% nga seguridad," Hortillosa said.
Hortillosa said Deloso is still recovering in the hospital but can't speak yet.
Investigators are waiting for his testimony which will be helpful in identifying the people behind the ambush.
"Ang order sa atong city director nga ma-identify ang mga suspects ug ma-file ang kaso sa labing daling panahon," he said.
On the other hand, authorities are looking at personal grudge as motive in the attempt on the life of Borja as investigators already hold links and identified persons of interest.
Hortillosa said the areas where the two victims were attacked by riding-in-tandem suspects were not identified as crime-prone areas.
He said the police deployment is focused mostly in areas vulnerable to crimes.
"Bisan pa man niini, nagtuo kami nga dili kini mahimong basihan nga makonsidera nga delikado ang atong dakbayan hinuon mao kini resulta sa among pahimangno nga dapat magbinantayon ang matag usa labi na sa area nga wala ang mga police," Hortillosa said.
The Cocpo spokesman explained that they will continue to study and enhance the security measures to deter crimes and ensure public safety.