Cocpo warns public from loitering along Coastal Road
The local police on Monday, November 13, said it is addressing security and safety concerns at the newly-opened coastal bypass road in Cagayan de Oro City.
Chief Inspector Mardy Hortillosa II, spokesperson of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo), said security along the Coastal Road needs to be addressed soonest, adding the installation of streetlights would be a big help in deterring crime.
Hortillosa said the city police is anticipating that the area might be used as rendezvous of lovers, groups of friends and even a venue for drag race enthusiasts.
“Gi-obserbahan na nato ang area. Gianticipate nato nga posibleng tambayanan siya sa mga mag-inom, mag-uyab ug kaning mga mag-drag race (We are already observing the area. We already anticipate all possible security concerns), ”Hortillosa said.
Hortillosa said the Cocpo cannot map out a concrete security scheme yet as this requires joint efforts of the city government and barangay officials.
Cocpo chief Senior Superintendent Robert Roy Bahian, however, has already ordered police personnel to conduct more mobile patrols and intelligence monitoring in the area.
The Cocpo is also considering putting up an outpost and deploy standby police personnel to immediately respond to emergency cases, if the need arises.
Hortillosa clarified that police traffic investigators were already distributed to the different police stations to promptly assist and respond vehicular and traffic incidents so as not to hamper traffic flow particularly at the Gusa junction.
“Atong tan-awon ni kay kinahanglan ta og dugang manpower ani kung magbutang ta og standby nga police sa area (We will see if there is a need to put up standby police personnel in the area because it entails additional manpower), ”Hortillosa said.
The Cocpo spokesperson urged the public and the motorists not to stay longer at the coastal road especially during the night for personal safety and security.
Gusa village officials of Gusa has already put up a signage prohibiting the public from loitering along the area between 10:00 p.m. until 4:30 a.m.
The barangay also warns the public from drinking alcoholic beverages and throwing waste and garbage at the coastal road at all times.
Meanwhile, a traffic enforcer of the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) said a hardware store whose delivery trucks sometimes worsen traffic jams in the area has been directed to avoid deploying their delivery trucks during peak hours.
Rodelio Ogsid said vehicular traffic in Gusa worsen from 4 pm to 7 pm or when the BME Partners Inc. (BME), located along the Gusa Highway, deploy their vehicles for delivery of hardware materials. With Jo Ann Sablad