Cops, enforcers to take foreign language lessons

The police and the traffic enforcers in Mandaue City will soon learn to speak Mandarin and Korean as the city government will sponsor a foreign language training in the next few weeks.

Chinese and Korean tourists are the top foreign visitors in Mandaue.

Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing told reporters that this training will be held in every police station under the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO).

"We will be holding a training for every station with one or two designated officers per station for language training," he said.

The same initiative will be provided for the members of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM), the mayor said.

The training, the mayor said, will help the enforcers and police better communicate with foreigners involved in incidents in the city.

"Because aside from incidents, there are also traffic incidents that Korean and Chinese nationals are involved," Quisumbing said.

Quisumbing said they have noticed an increase in the number of incidents in the city involving foreign nationals.

Last month, a Korean national was shot dead by an unidentified assailant along A.S. Fortuna St., Banilad Mandaue City. Shang Ho Lee, 40, owner of a restaurant in Lapu-Lapu City, succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds after motorcycle-riding men shot the victim inside his car.

Quisumbing said police and traffic enforcers have been having a hard time interviewing persons of interest, witnesses or resource persons because of language barrier.

"So that we're sure that if there are any incidents involving foreign nationals sa Mandaue, dili maglisod atong mga personnel sa MCPO, and to be able to investigate and to get statements," he said.