POLICE in Mandaue City remain on red alert for robberies similar to the one that took place in Cebu City, which resulted in one death, even though the suspects have all been arrested.
They’ve increased police visibility to ensure public safety.
The announcement was made by Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) Deputy Director for Operations Ryan Devaras on Thursday morning, Aug. 15, 2019.
Devaras said authorities should not let their guard down, especially since Mandaue City had already experienced a similar incident.
It is possible, he said, the suspects have other companions who will pick up where they left off.
He said that aside from being a business-friendly city, Mandaue is also a city of transients since anybody who wants to cross the Mactan Channel has to pass through it.
“Sometimes they’re transporting money and they have no choice but to go through Mandaue to get to Lapu-Lapu City. That’s why we have to be prepared for any untoward incident,” he said in Cebuano.
The MCPO has also ordered all station chiefs to conduct roving patrols.
Devaras admitted that they lacked police personnel to focus on crime-prone areas but they were studying ways to maximize their use.
“That’s why yesterday (Wednesday, Aug. 14), the city director called a conference with station commanders to intensify police visibility, especially in remote areas that are prone to robberies,” Devaras said in Cebuano.
The MCPO also called on the public to report suspicious-looking persons or activities in offices and other places of work.
Police believe the robbery of a head guard in broad daylight in Barangay Tisa, Cebu City last Tuesday, Aug. 13, was a case of an inside job.
The guard remains in critical condition after he was shot by one of the two robbers who waylaid him.
However, while the robbery was going on, an unidentified man took out his gun and shot at the two robbers, leading to the death of former staff sergeant Jobie Antipolo, who had gone absent without official leave. (From ANV of Superbalita Cebu/PJB)