Rising cases of shooting incidents alarm City Hall
Noting a rising number of shooting incidents in Cebu City from January to April, Mayor Michael Rama has directed the city police to implement what he called as “Oplan run after perpetrators” (ORAP).
Records from the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) show at least 30 shooting incidents here during the first four months of 2023. The number was double compared to the same period last year.
CCPO director Col. Ireneo Dalogdog admitted the volume is already alarming. He said the figure is even higher compared to the pre-pandemic time in 2019 where the city only recorded 24 shooting incidents for the same period.
According to Dalogdog, most of the shooting incidents at present are drug-related. The mayor told the city police chief that he does not want any more of this incident.
“Any crime committed in Cebu City is a crime committed against all constituents of the City of Cebu,” said Rama.
Under Rama’s ORAP, all of the city’s 11 police stations can take cognizance of crime incidents even outside of their jurisdiction.
“Wherever the crime is committed, any station can take cognizance and there will be no returning it or engaging in volleyball…or pingpong…Where it was committed or where the person is arrested is where the station takes cognizance to it…No more turning over,” Rama said.
The mayor said he does not want delays in the investigation and crime solution. He challenged the CCPO to even cut down its response time from five to only three minutes, something that another highly-urbanized city in Luzon is already doing.
Rama told Dalogdog to plot a system to do it.
The Mayor is also looking into having additional motorcycles for policemen to maximize response time.
“No ifs, no buts…
Under ORAP or Oplan Run After Perpetrators, I am directing now our police hierarchy and city hall personalities—No more continuing shooting incidents…All policemen should take this directive seriously and I'm officially bringing it now,” Rama said.
Dalogdog accepted the challenge in return for the all-out support that Rama has extended to CCPO.
“Thirty shooting incidents…Dili na ni siya pwede palabyon lang… kinahanglan seryoso ta… Maningkamot ta and seryoso nga barugan na challenge,” Dalogdog said.