Cebu City police director Patrocinio Comendador said they are now more prepared for fraternity-related violence.
He likened Cebu to other progressive cities in the world that have the same problems like gang wars and drive-by shootings and the police must do everything they could to put a stop to these.
“I think dili lang man ni sa ato, even ang U.S. niagi ani nga mga hitabo. These are the new phenomenon we’ll be confronting. I think not only for now but in weeks to come, dunay lull karon sa insidente may tendency nga mobalik because this is part of the society growing up,” Comendador said.
According to Comendador there has been a drastic drop in fraternity-related violence in the city after Alpha Kappa Rho fratman Aristotle “Ares” Aves was arrested last December 3.
Aves has been wanted by the police since 2004 and was finally arrested last December 3 in Pier 8 in Mandaue City while he and his fraternity brother Jesus Singson, Jr. were going Ormoc City on board a ferryboat, both were suspected of being hired killers.
Crimes blamed on Aves are the drive-by shootings last September 21 and 28 and also the October 4 shooting spree that killed five men and injured eight others.
But despite the lull, Comendador said the police will not let its guard down and said they have already created a team of policemen to focus on these kind of incidents and with the database of profiles and information pertaining to these organizations, the city director is confident that they are better prepared.
“Ang ila (frat leaders) sigurong immediate concerns sa mga organization is to reevaluate sa ilang positions in relation to the society whether their existence is still relevant to the society,” Comendador urged the frat leaders.
He also said fraternity and gang members committing crime as “street hoodlums” who will be treated accordingly.
“Kanang mga fraternities ni-commit og criminal acts, naa man silay tenets, naa silay prinsipyo, naa silay ideology but once they commit criminal acts or violate the law then they are hoodlums,” Comendador said. — Edwin Ian Melecio/BRP