"Crimes in city orchestrated to discredit administration"

ORMOC CITY, Philippines  – Mayor Eric Codilla, in his annual state of the city address (SOCA) the other day, disclosed that the unusual occurrences of carnappings, increased illegal drug activities and other peace and order disturbances have been orchestrated by someone who is out to discredit his administration.

Codilla said the Police Regional Office-8 has been investigating on the series of crimes in the city since the last quarter of 2011.

“For every car stolen, the financier gives P14,000 to these operators (suspects),” said the mayor, adding that all stolen vehicles were easily recovered by the police.

PRO-8 director Arnold Revilla also wondered why all carnapped vehicles were left in different places inside the city or in neighboring towns in areas visible to enforcers for easy recovery, said Codilla.

“Revilla is suspicious why these (carnappings), which generally take place in Manila and/or Cebu are happening in the peaceful city of Ormoc,” said the mayor.

In an exclusive interview with The FREEMAN, Codilla disclosed that a separate amount for a stolen motorcycle is also given to the thieves.

“Based on intelligence report, the perpetrators are well organized and funded. They are instructed to disrupt and disturbed the peace and order of the city by drawing a picture of chaos and instability,” he said.

“After carnapping and illegal drugs, this group is now about to enter into kidnapping activities that’s why our law enforcers are working double time to avert this orchestrated crimes,” he said, adding that he already ordered to arrest one suspect alive so that the mastermind would be revealed.

“We already have the name of the mastermind, but a confirmation from a participant of the crime will strengthen the claim,” said the mayor.

“Some people resorted to this disgusting strategy to deceive the people because they can’t find legally acceptable ways to descredit the fast development of the city and destroy my administration,“ Codilla added.   (FREEMAN)