Family seen as 'basic unit' in battle vs. crimes

CEBU, Philippines - Supt. Lani-O Nerez, director of the Police Regional Office-7, said that “it’s all systems go” for the observance of the National Crime Prevention Week from September 1 to 7, with the theme “Labanan ang krimen, pamilya patatagin” which reflects the significant role of the family in curbing criminalities in the country.

Police said that they are now glad that many of the people, especially the Cebuanos, feed them vital information that eventually lead to the arrest of individuals involved in illegal activities.

Likewise, Supt. Ernesto Agas, PRO-7 public information officer, said that the celebration aims to increase public awareness on the importance of cooperation among and between members of the community and law enforcement agencies in crime prevention. 

Said government agencies are spearheaded by the National Police Commission in coordination with the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies in Central Visayas as well as non-government organizations.

Agas said that tomorrow, September 1, which will mark the first day of the national crime prevention week, a Holy Mass will be offered at the St. Ignatius Chapel of the PRO-7 at 7 a.m.

The Mass will then be followed by a motorcade on main thoroughfares of Cebu and Mandaue Cities. A joint kick-off program will be held at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex to be attended by stakeholders with Gen. Geary Barias, deputy chief for administration of the Philippine National Police, as keynote speaker.

National Police Commission-7 director Bernardo Calibo, for his part, will start the distribution of their mini-posters on crime prevention tomorrow. They will also hold an awareness drive on crime and drug abuse prevention and control on Wednesday and Thursday.

On Friday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government-7, the PNP and Napolcom will conduct an awareness drive on barangay anti-drug abuse with deputation trainings now ongoing under the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7; as well as on child exploitation and anti-trafficking in women and children.

Nerez will lead the removal of graffiti and repainting of vandalized walls on the same day. On the following day, the closing ceremony of the week-long celebration will be marked with an on-the-spot poster-making contest, using the theme mentioned beforehand, to be participated in by elementary and high school students. — Niña G. Sumacot/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)