Kapangan crime dips, attributed to checkpoints

THE CONDUCT of an unannounced checkpoints by Kapangan police continues to be a major intervention method in the management of police operations in the municipality.

Kapangan Deputy Chief Police Inspector Dick Latogan said the unannounced establishment of checkpoints in various areas in the 15 barangays of Kapangan with the help of the 15 members of Provincial Police Security Command have proven to be a deterrent against crimes in the municipality.

The municipality registered rape as the leading crime from June to September of this year with three cases mostly committed by the youth who are now under the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.

"We have recorded three cases of rape, two cases of theft, one homicide since our assignment to Kapangan from Mankayan. The local government unit’s support have proven to be a big help for us to maintain peace and order in the municipality," Latogan said.

The Kapangan top cop also listed smoking in public, violation of the curfew on the serving of alcohol, illegal use of explosives by fishermen in the

Amburayan River and the selling of alcohol and cigarettes to minors remains one of their priority programs on peace and order.

In the fight against illegal drugs, Latogan explained 76 persons in Kapangan surrendered with 71 graduating from the community based rehabilitation program of the LGU, while five still have to comply with the requirements set by government.

Some surrenderers were cultivators of marijuana particularly in the areas of Gaddang and Sagubu.

The Regional Drug Enforcement Agency declared the 13 barangays of Kapangan to be drug cleared with two unaffected.

"Although we apply a 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. presence of our policemen in our Balakbak and Lumon Compac stations, we hope to strengthen our presence with the addition of the proposed Gaswiling Compac station and possible addition of communication equipments and manpower," Latogan added.