NO RESTORATION OF PNP AID: TOMAS

Swat operatives now being fielded at dawn to augment city security, a move that failed to convince Mayor Osmeña to change his decision

Although personnel from the Special Weapons and Tactics (Swat) are now fielded at dawn to augment security, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is not having a change of heart.

Last week, the mayor announced that starting this month, the City Government will no longer pay for the maintenance and registration fees of vehicles that were issued to the police.

That is, if the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) will not integrate the Swat with the Mobile Patrol Group (MPG), as requested by Osmeña.

Because of the recent spate of killings, CCPO spokesperson Senior Insp. Arieza Otida said a team composed of eight Swat personnel will be on patrol around the city from 1 to 5 a.m.

This team, however, will use their own assault car when roving and will not be integrated with the MPG since the two units have different responsibilities.

At City Hall, Mayor Osmeña stood pat on his decision.

“No (restoration of payment for City-issued vehicles). I have to assess the whole thing because it’s becoming clearer and clearer that the policemen are involved (in spate of killings). I don’t like what is happening as far as these cops are concerned,” he said.

Records from the Department of General Services show that the City issued at least 50 motorcycles and 40 four-wheel vehicles to CCPO.

The maintenance and registration fee of one four-wheel vehicle amounts to P50,000, while the maintenance and registration fees for a motorcycle range from P5,000 to P10,000.