City to cut cops’ benefits if robberies continue

CEBU CITY – Shape up, or else. Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama warned that the city’s policemen could lose their monthly financial benefits and station commanders could be removed from their offices should the series of robberies in the city continues.

Rama, apparently irked by the series of robberies, with one taking place just a few meters away from the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) headquarters, imposed a “three-strike” policy against CCPO Director Noli Romana and all station commanders.

The “three-strike” policy states that police officials will be held liable should three robberies occur in their respective areas of responsibilities.

Rama issued the warning owing to the recent robberies that victimized convenience stores, money remittance outlets, gasoline stations, and other establishments.

With the warning, close to 1,000 Cebu City policemen stand to lose their R2,000 monthly allowance from the Cebu City Government if the spate of robberies goes on.

The Cebu City government gives R2,000 a month to each police officer assigned in all police stations and units under the CCPO.