Lack of CH support affects police work

Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera who sits as the chairman of Police Advisory Council (PAC) wants Mayor Tomas Osmeña to give his final word if the city government will continue to extend assistance to the police.

“Probably, they want clarity on this matter ba. Mura ba’g unsa man gyud imoha mayor? Unsa man gyud ni? I think, that’s the point they want to get from the mayor,” he told The FREEMAN.

Garganera said there are circumstances earlier that Osmeña reportedly did not give too much attention to the needs of Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).

The mayor earlier said that he will not yet disburse the P15 million intended for the procurement of logistical equipment for cops.

Osmeña also directed the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, and Enhancement (PROBE) team to demolish the “illegal” structures intended for the satellite office of Pardo Police Station.

Garganera said despite the lack of support coming from the city government, the police, under the leadership of CCPO director Snr. Supt. Royina Garma, did their best to perform their duties to the public as far as peace and order is concerned.

“You know, it’s not for me if the mayor will listen or not but what the Cebu City Police, through Garma, is doing right now, they exhaust all means for the mayor to be on the same table with the police,” he also said.

The FREEMAN tried to get the side of Osmeña and Councilor David Tumulak, deputy mayor over police matters, but they were not available as of press time.

For his part, Police Supt. Artemio Ricabo, deputy City director for administration of CCPO, admitted that the lack of support from the city government has affected their performance.

The city government is giving a total of 850 liters of gasoline to the police every month while during the past administration, the city government is supplying the police 1,000 liters of gas every month.

"Insufficient ang support but despite that, we are doing our best to overcome it,” Ricabo said.

He added they have requested to increase the supply but the city government has yet to act on the request.

But Ricabo is thankful that the budget for the maintenance of police cars is retained.