Talisay City police get four new policemen

Instead of receiving relief orders for some police personnel, the Talisay City Police Station received orders for four additional policemen to be assigned in the station.

Talisay City police chief, Superintendent Jason Villamater, confirmed that early morning yesterday he received an order from the Cebu Police Provincial Office about the additional policemen.

Two are from the Regional Special Operations Group while the other two are from the Provincial Public Safety Company.

Earlier, the station was given two weeks due last Thursday to lessen their crime incidence or all police personnel will be relieved for retraining.

The station allegedly has a high number of crime incidence particularly theft and robbery, although based on the station's statistics they have significantly lower numbers of theft and robbery cases this year compared to last year.

Villamater said he was glad for the additional personnel and added he hopes the relief orders will not be implemented.

"Seventy-seven na lahat (police personnel) at fortunate tayo na nadagdagan. So far wala pa akong na receive na order, sana wala," he said.

He said the new personnel will likely be assigned to the posts of policemen he recommended to undergo schooling for their career advancement.

He added he requested for additional personnel since he was assigned to Talisay City last September yet.

The Talisay police recently faced several controversies, including allegations of extortion by one of its personnel and the protection of murder suspect Jessie Largo.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Police Office warned drug personalities who intend to use the cemeteries for their illegal activities this November 1 and 2 that they can still arrest them even if they are no longer the leading agency in the war on drugs.

"Mopatrolya pud sila in case nga aduna sila'y makuha nga illegal items such as illegal drugs… Kung makita sa police nga naa gy'uy illegal items didto, caught in the act moaresto gihapon ang mga police," said CCPO-IDMB chief, Police Superintendent Ryan Devaras.

Last year, four men were arrested after being caught using drugs behind the Calamba Cemetery during All Saints’ Day.

CCPO's main focus will be the cemeteries with the expected highest volumes of visitors including Carreta, Calamba, Cempark, and Queen City Memorial Gardens.

Devaras said that deployment of at least 900 policemen in all cemeteries in Cebu City will start on October 30. Force multipliers, barangay officials, and tanods will also join the PNP in securing the cemeteries this coming November 1 and 2.

"Although naa nata'y coordination sa mga cemeteries, pagput up og mga desks, tarpaulins and definitely naa na tay mga police guarding the cemeteries, 24 hours a day," said Devaras. —

Iris Mariani B.Algabre and Ermida Q. Moradas/BRP