EDITORIAL - “Iron fist”

Just few hours after assuming the top post of the Cebu City Police Office last Monday, Senior Superintendent Royina Garma was greeted with the shocking news about the murder of veteran lawyer Salvador Solima inside his house.

Garma, the first female officer to head the CCPO, vowed to use an "iron fist" against all forms of criminality in the city, especially the illegal drug trade. She also promised to strengthen the drive against policemen involved in illegal businesses.

"Cebu City Police Office will mean business in the talk of war on drugs. We will go to war when we talk about criminality and anti-illegal drug campaign," said the former chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas.

Well, let's see whether Garma can fulfill her promise. But we do hope she can live up to public expectations. The fact that she vowed to deal with criminals with an "iron fist" would only mean she is serious in her new job.

Yes, the killing of Solima and the wounding of his wife by gunmen who just casually went into their house is just a testament of the worsening peace and order problem in the city that one is no longer safe even in his own home.

While we hail the authorities for the speedy arrest of the suspects, it's not the quick response to the crime that counts. What really matters is the need to prevent crimes from being committed.

Of course, criminals will always find a way to pull off their trade once the urge to commit a crime becomes irresistible. But the issue here is not about the commission of crimes but the need for authorities to apply measures that would prevent criminals from accomplishing their plan.

Given her accomplishments at the CIDG-7, Garma is expected to shine in her new assignment. All she needs is to see to it that her "iron fist" approach against crimes will work according to plan.