Talisay police told to step up vs crime

The Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) has issued a warning on Monday for Talisay City Police Station that its 73 personnel will be relieved for retraining if they failed to decrease crime incidence in the city in two weeks.

“I'm warning them, they need to step up. Initially ang binigay namin is two weeks for them to adjust, public safety can't wait, hindi pwede antayin natin sila mag-adjust. Ilang shooting incident pa bago tayo umaksyon?” said Superintendent Ryan Manongdo, CPPO deputy director for operations.

Manongdo said that this will serve as a challenge to the personnel to prove their worth as cops, after recent controversies hounding Talisay City police station.

“We challenge them na kapag hindi nyo napapababa ang crime incidence nyo despite sa change ng leadership, despite the support of provincial police office, despite sa system na pinapa-implement ng regional director, then there is something wrong sa personnel nila,” Manongdon said.

Manongdon said at Caloocan City Police Office, 62 personnel were similarly relieved from their post.

It has been reported that five Talisay cops are facing investigation on extortion charges.

Manongdon said newly installed Talisay chief, Police Superintendent Jason Villamater, is exempted from the relieve order warning since he only assumed post last month.

For his part, Villamater said that one of the factors for the increase of crime volume in Talisay is its growing population.

He also observed that the most common crime incident in Talisay is robbery (snatching), particularly in Barangay Tabunok.

“Trending dahil approaching sa -ber months, maraming snatching. Isa pa, ongoing ang fiesta celebration,” he said.

Talisay police are expecting a large number of people entering the city to celebrate the feast day of Sta. Teresa De Avila set for October 15.

Villamater clarified that the increase in the number of crimes is not related to the recent “salvaging” incident in Barangay Linao and to reports of police personnel being relieved for extortion.

When asked if the city police will be retrained if there is no decrease of crime rates in the city, Villamater said they will obey any order from the higher ranks, though he stressed that they will still exert their best effort in leading peace and order in the city.

“Wala kaming magagawa kong may order, we are run by orders. Basta kami, best effort. Gagawin pa rin lahat ng kakayanin,” he said.

Meanwhile, a 25-yearold man is in critical condition after he was shot by alleged members of Kalmados gang past midnight on Thursday just a few meters away from the police station in Barangay Poblacion, Talisay City.

Arjun Vergara, 25, a resident of Sitio Miramar, Barangay Dumlog, Talisay was rushed to Talisay District Hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds to his stomach and right leg.

Mark Joseph Echavez, 19, and his 17-year-old cousin were arrested in connection with the incident.

In the hot pursuit operation conducted by Talisay police, a certain “Manuel” was able to escape while the two were handcuffed.

According to police, Vergara positively identified that one of the two arrested was the one who shot him.

However, the two suspects denied Vergara's allegations.

According to Echavez, they had gone to the area to eat when Vergara approached them and asked his cousin if they were members of Kalmados gang.

When they said no, Vergara and his group allegedly began hitting them which led to a rumble.

Echavez said he tried to save his 17-year-old cousin when Vergara tried to stab him with an ice pick.

Echavez claims it was one of their cohorts who shot Vergara.

After Vergara was shot, the two groups dispersed.

Echavez also denied that he and his cousin are members of the Kalmados gang.

“Subayonon pa ni namo palawman pa namo ang inbestigasyon. Susihon pa ni nato ug gang ba gyud ni sila. Pero nagrambol ni hangtod nga naa'y namusil. Basin personal grudge. Magabot ang pikas nga gropo, mag-away-away,” said Police Officer 3 Junyl Ater of Talisay police.