Stop blaming Pasay cops

Pasay City Rep. Connie Dy urged the public to stop blaming the Pasay City police for the tragic hostage incident last May 31, saying this will not help improve the peace and order situation in the city.

"Our policemen, specially those not involved in the failed hostage incident, are very demoralized. Unknown to non-residents of Pasay, our police force under Superintendent Eduardo dela Cerna, have been doing a good job in controlling criminality until this incident happened. Out of 271 crime incidents from January to May this year, we only have about 20 unsolved cases," Dy said. The incident resulted in the death of hostage Dexter Balala and hostage-taker Diomedes Talbo.

"Admittedly there were lapses in handling the situation, but we should view this as an eye-opener on the capability of our police to handle this kind of situation where special skills and orientation are needed," Dy added.