THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has called on Dabawenyos to report any incident of crime to the authorities instead of posting it on social media.
This, after alleged robbery incidents in Catalunan Grande and Toril have been trending on social media.
DCPO spokesperson Major Maria Teresita Gaspan, in a press conference at the Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday, said the alleged robbery incidents posted on Facebook were not reported to any police personnel, making it hard for authorities to verify the cases.
Gaspan also said one of the alleged cases of robbery involving a gunman on a motorbike in Catalunan Grande failed because the police responded even before anything was taken from the victim.
Other alleged incidents could not be confirmed because no one has formally filed a complaint with the police.
“We encourage them kung meron talagang nangyari magpa-blotter sila. Mag-report sa police station para ma-validate nato, ma-aksyunan nato, ma-account nato (We encourage them, if a crime really took place, they should file a police blotter. They should report to a police station so we can validate, take action, and take the case into account),” Gaspan said.
“Kay kung naa sa social media, dili man nato na matubag kung tinoud ba na or dili unless magpablotter sila, magreport sa police station kung asa aduna’y jusridiction kung asa man na nahitabo (Because in social media, we cannot determine if these crimes really happened unless they filed for a police blotter and they reported to the police station with the jurisdiction over the area where the incidents took place),” she added.
The DCPO has also revived Oplan Robbery/ Hold-up, Akyat Bahay and Theft (RAT Tugis), with police operatives focusing on investigating persons of interest identified to be involved in robbery and theft cases.
“Doon sa mga neighbourhoods atsaka mga business establishments na may nangyayari, intensified ‘yong efforts sa pag-gukod aning mga suspek na mga groups or individuals na involved sa kawat or tulis dinhi sa atong siyudad (In neighbourhoods and business establishments where incidents happened, our efforts are intensified in pursuing these suspected groups and individuals involved in robbery and theft in our city),” Gaspan said.
Police have recorded a total of 15 cases of robbery and theft from July 1 to 17. Gaspan said all the suspects in 15 cases have already been arrested. CIO