Criminality on the rise in Butuan City

BUTUAN CITY — Vehicles parked in malls here just disappear, youth gangs allegedly using illegal drugs are on the rise, text messages victimizing families of their hard-earned money are allegedly rampant and robberies as well as stabbing incidents are increasing at an alarming rate.

These are some of the many concerns of ordinary citizens here as law enforcement authorities are still facing a blank wall in solving the disappearances of vehicles at the Gaisano Mall in this city.

Butuan City Police Director, Senior Supt. Efren Anggo also admitted to The STAR in a telephone interview that there is really an increase in stabbing, robbery and drug-related crime incidents in the city because of the continuing influx of visitors and migrants to the city. But he said they will draw up plans to curb this trend.

The other day, a family in Barangay Libertad was almost victimized of their hard-earned money when an unknown texter with mobile phone number 0921-3448952 allegedly claimed that they won in a raffle draw. They were advised to call Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Rafael Buenaventura to verify the information and to bring some money to claim the prize of P4 million in a certain place in Butuan City.

For third time in a row, another expensive vehicle was also stolen at the parking lot of Gaisano Mall located at J.C. Aquino Avenue here.

The owner, the manager of the Imperial Appliance Plaza, one of the biggest appliance stores in this city, told investigators that his Mitsubishi Camper Shell, with license plates UBC-792, was parked at the Gaisano Mall parking lot before it disappeared.

Last month, two vehicles — an Isuzu Crosswind and a DT Yamaha motorcycle — were also stolen in the same area. The vehicles’ owners blamed the alleged laxity of the store’s security personnel in protecting customers’ vehicles parked at the mall.

A growing number of rugby boys were also noted roaming around the streets while youth gangs are said to be on the rise.

But Anggo explained that these incidents were brought about by influx of people to Butuan City during the celebration of the city fiesta and the recently-concluded local and national elections.