Police support special courts for vigilante slays

CEBU, Philippines - City Police Director Patrocinio Comendador said he supports the resolution to have all cases involving vigilante killings handled by the country’s special courts, as proposed by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines- Cebu Chapter.

Comendador, however, said that IBP should also ask the Supreme Court to order special courts to handle the cases of victims of civilians and criminals.

“Dili kay vigilante lang. Like during robberies, usahay big time pa g’yud, the victims got killed by their suspects,” Comendador said, contending that the cases filed victims of civilians usually take time.

“So tendency is naa’y ubang victims dili na manunga sa hearing. The case will be eventually ma-dismiss ‘nya mamalik na pud og panulis ang mga suspects,” he said.

Meanwhile, CCPO will launch today its second 24-hour mobile police outpost along Magallanes Street.

The first mobile outpost was launched last September 14 along Colon Street, as a complimentary program to the successful Task Force Colon launched last July 27.

Comendador said the mobile police outpost will serve as a “visible symbol of the police,” and will serve as an “information center” for both residents of the city and people from other provinces.

Other outposts will be opened soon in other areas the police consider are within the epicenter of criminality in the city.

The mobile police outpost, which is the first of its kind, is the result of Comendador’s endeavor to make a strong stand in trying to decrease petty crimes in the streets. Barangay tanods also help the police in manning the outpost. - Niña G. Sumacot/JMO