Valentine’s day; Police to secure lovers today

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Police Office tightens security today to secure lovers who are celebrating Valentine’s Day.

Senior Supt. Mariano Natuel, Jr., officer-in-charge of CCPO, ordered the 11 station commanders to secure lovers’ lanes in their respective areas where couples are expected to flock today.

Natuel said they need to secure the area and the dating couples who may become subjects of fun or envy by ill-minded people or their love rivals.

“Pa-rovingan nato kay daghan unyang mag-bugalbugal or mag-suyasuya sa mga nag-date or kanang makig-away g’yud tungod sa love triangle, (We will have roving policemen because there might be those who will make fun of the couples, get jealous or cause trouble due to love triangle.)” said Natuel.

Natuel then recalled a “serial killer”, who has stabbed couples in three previous Valentine’s Days while he was still the director of the Lapu-lapu City Police Office.

“Na-find out na gibuwagan diay ‘to siya sa  iyang uyab on Valentines Day, and sukad adto, manunggab siya ug mga mag-date ilawom sa Mactan Bridge, for three years hangtod nadakpan siya, (We found out that he was jilted by his lover on Valentine’s Day and since then, he stabs couples dating under the Mactan Bridge for three years until his arrest,)” Natuel said.

By patrolling these lovers’ lanes, Natuel said such incident or other related incidents may already be prevented.

The station commanders and its personnel will be deployed in the known dating areas in Cebu City like the Plaza Independencia, Senior Citizen’s Park near the Cebu City Hall, Fuente Osmeña, and South Road Properties, among others.

Natuel also advised his men to refrain from guarding motel entrances as motel owners have complained of low income because supposed customers would shy away upon seeing the police.

The CCPO head also advised the couples to avoid from displaying too much affection in public, or the so-called PDA.

“Badlungon nato nang sobra ra sa PDA, (We have to call the attention of those who are overly affectionate.)” he said.

Meanwhile, this Valentine’s Day, three government agencies in charge of transportation joined forces in conducting “Oplan I-Love-You”.

Oplan I-Love-you  is a campaign against taxi overcharging and colorum transport in Cebu.

This campaign is spearheaded by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory board-7, the Land Transportation Office-7 and the City Integrated Traffic Operations Management.

LTFRB-7 regional director Ahmed Cuizon said that this campaign is also an opportunity for taxi drivers to show their love for their passengers by giving them courteous, honest and prompt service on this special day of hearts.

Cuizon is encouraging passengers who will be victimized by unscrupulous taxi drivers to report to their office.

He said that it has been observed during Valentine’s Day that taxi drivers overcharge their passengers especially those coming and going to the motels.

“Naay daghan mag-overcharge nga drivers. Unya ang mga pasahero  dili na lang maka-reklamo kay mauwaw sad baya nga maglakaw sila mupadung or mo uli from the motels, (Many drivers overcharge and their passengers cannot complain because they are ashamed to walk to and from morels.)” Cuizon told The FREEMAN.

Violators shall be made to pay a fine of P1,500 per violation. —(FREEMAN)