CCPO chief to intensify checkpoints

CEBU, Philippines - After assuming as Cebu City Police Office officer-in-charge last Saturday, Senior Superintendent Conrado Capa said he plans to deploy more policemen in conducting checkpoints in the city at daytime.

Capa replaced Senior Superintendent Noli Romana, whom Camp Crame ordered relieved, effective December 4 and reassigned to the Civil Security Group at the Philippine National Police Office national headquarters.

Chief Superintendent Prudencio Bañas, Police Regional Office director, earlier raised his concern about police units that do not conduct checkpoints, contrary to what was expected from them.

He said that not having a comprehensive deployment system is among the shortcomings they have observed in CCPO, which he hopes Capa would be able to address.

Capa said he will request for additional personnel from the Cebu City Public Safety Company and Mobile Patrol Group so he could deploy more   policemen for checkpoint operations.

He said he expects the police units, which are conducting checkpoints every night, to be more efficient as he would be there. “I expect them to do better as they should because I will supervise them.”

In his first command conference as CCPO director, Capa spoke with the section, station, and unit commanders yesterday. He said they are working on the security preparations for the yuletide season and for the Sinulog celebration.

He said that with him at the helm, CCPO can expect a lot of changes, especially on management and personnel.

In particular, he would reassess the strategies adopted in preventing criminal activities.  (FREEMAN)