THE Cebu City Government is intensifying its community-based Oplan Pakigsandurot anti-crime campaign following a viral video of 12 minors assaulting a 21-year-old man with disability on Saturday, August 9, 2025, in Sitio Mahayahay 1, Barangay Calamba.
Councilor Paul Labra II said the incident highlights the need for community involvement. The program aims to mobilize residents as “force multipliers” to patrol their neighborhoods alongside authorities.
The Sawang Calero Police Station, the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) and Calamba barangay officials met after the video circulated online.
The meeting was attended by the victim, the 12 minors and their parents.
An investigation revealed the victim belongs to a known gang and had encountered the 12 minors before the incident.
According to the minors, the victim accused them of throwing rocks at him. They said he then chased them, which angered the group.
The minors returned and beat the victim until he fell to the ground. The assault was recorded on video.
Officials discussed intervention programs for the minors involved in the attack and the possibility of filing charges.
They reminded the parents of their responsibility to guide and monitor their children to prevent similar incidents.
Police Region 7 Director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said parents have a huge responsibility to guide their children so they do not
commit crimes.
“Our children are a reflection of the way we raise and guide them. I hope this incident serves as a reminder that we must watch, talk to, and teach our youth toward a correct and safe way of life,” Maranan said.
Maranan also encouraged the public to help one another and to immediately call their 911 hotline for crimes or emergencies. Through cooperation, they can achieve a peaceful and orderly community, he added.
Oplan Pakigsandurot
Meanwhile, Labra said the incident has underscored the need to mobilize and involve the community to maintain peace and order across the city’s barangays through Oplan Pakigsandurot.
The initiative aims to mobilize residents from all sectors of the community to work alongside active and retired police officers in their respective barangays.
It also seeks to create a visible presence of community patrols, enhancing the sense of security among residents and acting as a deterrent to crime.
The program intends to organize residents into sectors, along with sitio leaders and chapel presidents, to establish a network of local watch groups.
These groups would patrol their neighborhoods and report suspicious activities.
“This is not only the responsibility of the police; it is everybody’s responsibility,” said Labra.
“We need to mobilize our communities and make them aware that they have a crucial role in maintaining peace and order in their own areas,”
he added.
Labra plans to work with the City Council to strengthen the implementation of existing ordinances, such as curfew and anti-loitering laws, as preventive measures.
To support the expansion of Oplan Pakigsandurot, Labra said City Hall plans to provide resources to help mobilize patrols, including vehicles, and provisions like uniforms for community volunteers.
He will propose funding for the program in next year’s annual budget.
Labra plans to launch Oplan Pakigsandurot in Barangay Calamba. The program has already been piloted in some areas under different police stations and aims to integrate more barangays. / AYB, EHP