Deployment of soldiers in Cebu City okayed

CEBU CITY — Soldiers will soon be deployed in Cebu City to augment the police force in securing public areas, according to Councilor David Tumulak.

Tumulak, who also chairs the council’s committee on public order and safety, said the Office of the President has granted the council’s request for the Armed Forces of the Philippines to deploy soldiers in Cebu City.

The soldiers will secure public areas such as terminals, ports, malls, and streets, the councilor said.

It was Tumulak who passed a resolution in the city council requesting the AFP to assist the Philippine National Police in securing the city. A copy of the resolution was furnished to the Office of the President.

While he does not know how many AFP personnel will be deployed just yet, Tumulak asked the public not to be surprised when they start seeing military men in the public areas mentioned.

The presence of soldiers in public areas is expected to prevent petty crimes, such as snatching and pickpocketing, the councilor said.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Police Office arrested at least 106 persons in a two-hour simultaneous anti-crime operations Friday.

Superintendent Ryan Devaras of the Investigation and Detective Management Branch of the Cebu City Police Office, said the operations, called “One Time Big Time,” were part of the police’s efforts to rid the city of illegal gambling operations as well as other unlawful activities based on reports received by the City Intelligence Branch.

Devaras said most of those arrested were involved in illegal gambling but others were also picked up for yielding illegal firearms and illegal drugs. Also among those arrested were people facing arrest warrants for various crimes.

Of the 106 suspects arrested, one was a minor, said Devaras.