More police detachments in Cebu mountain brgys

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government through the Police Coordinating and Advisory Council (PCAC) will establish additional police detachments in the mountain barangays to augment visibility to maintain peace and order.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, the chairman of PCAC, said the council has received reports from barangay captains of Cambinocot, Paril, Agsungot, Guba, and Binaliw about the alleged existence of “Balay Husayan” in the upland barangays, which is being run by the Alimaong Tribe. 

He said residents in these barangays have become fearful because the tribe has been sending summons reportedly over alleged violations.

“This group (Alimaong) has been sending summons because they have their own form of authority or government “balay husayan”...they have been sending summons to barangay captains to appear for alleged violations,” Labella said.

The tribe is based in Sitio Mary Grace Kalubihan, Talamban.

Labella instructed Talamban Police Station Chief, Senior Inspector Bienvenido Miral, to verify the reports and ensure peace and order there.

He said PCAC will have additional police detachment in Barangays Sudlon 1, Agsungot or Cambinocot, and Pung-ol Sibugay or in Toong. A detachment is currently present in Barangay Sirao.

Labella said about 40 police personnel will man the additional detachments and will coordinate with tanods in the areas.

“We have assurance of (Cebu City Police Chief Noli) Romana that they can provide the manpower,” he said.

PCAC has invited National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) Regional Director Leilene Marie C. Gallardo to shed light on the status of the Alimaong group to know specifically if they are accredited by the commission.

Meanwhile, Labella urged all barangay officials to attend and participate in the drug awareness program of the city. He said he received reports that only 10 out of 80 barangays have joined in the motorcade during the opening of the Drug Awareness Week last Monday.

“I urge all the barangay officials to attend the drug awareness because this is the main problem, about 50 percent of those detained in jail are drug-related and even those committing crime other than violation of the drug law, are somehow were also related to drug, some were able to rob or kill because they were under the influence of drug,” Labella said. — (FREEMAN)