Garma supports habalhabal riders as peacekeepers
The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) welcomes the plan to make habalhabal drivers as force multipliers as they would be helpful in the keeping peace and order in the city.
“It’s not a problem and thank you kay mayor if he will mobilize it. It will positively help the police if he will use it throughout the year,” said CCPO director Senior Superintendent Royina Garma in a phone interview.
She made the statement following reports that Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña wanted to make habalhabal drivers as force multipliers.
She said habalhabal drivers can assist cops in the enforcement of local ordinances but they need to undergo basic training.
“Dapat mayroon silang basic training on the enforcement of city ordinances before sila mag assist. Just to make sure na nasa saktong paagi ang ila gibuhat pud,” Garma said.
She added that if CCPO will be the one to organize the force multipliers, they would conduct a background investigation on those who will be classified as members.
“If we are the one organizing, we will definitely conduct background check but if we are not the one, but I am sure na ang city hall may mission na diyan and ways to screen,” she said.
Garma has earlier ordered to check the list of all Barangay Intelligence Network (BIN), a force multiplier of the Philippine National Police after a BIN member was arrested in Archbishop Palace for possession of unlicensed firearms.
The BIN was reportedly ordered to secure the witness of a bloody shooting that claimed five lives in Barangay Malubog, an upland barangay in Cebu City, early this month.
All force multipliers are not allowed to bring firearms in line of their service, unless they have the necessary documents to carry one.
She cautioned that it would be necessary that all force multiplier would coordinate with the police forces to avoid confusion.
“Coordination lang is important kasi referral is crucial. There are procedures and should be coordinated efforts to make sure smooth ang dagan” Garma said.