More tanods, police visibility in Ermita, Pasil pushed
The Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse and Prevention (COSAP), barangay officials of Ermita and Pasil, and the local police station commanders agreed not to demolish the footbridge connecting the two barangays.
For now, the officials agreed to increase the visibility of barangay tanods and police personnel in the area, instead of destroying the foot bridge.
“The illegal drug activities and criminality are rampant in the area. So during the meeting I told them to come up with measures that will help solve the problem,” said Garry Lao, head of COSAP.
“As co-chair of the Cebu City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC), I suggested to mobilize the community’s participation by activating the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council. For me, demolishing the footbridge is not the solution,” said Lao.
He also suggested that lamp posts be installed near the footbridge to light the area and discourage illegal transactions.
San Nicolas Police Chief Inspector Keith Andaya also suggested to put up CCTV cameras in the area to easily monitor the people involved in these activities. The barangays will hold a monthly meeting to further discuss matters concerning illegal drugs and other crimes in the community. Pasil barangay council passed a resolution pushing for the demolition of the bridge after reports that illegal transactions take place in the structure./