Wholesome, peaceful V-Day in city, region

CEBU, Philippines - Valentine’s Day in Cebu City was clear of scandalous, undesirable acts this year, at least as far as records of the Cebu City Police Office  are concerned.

“So far, walay mga reports nga nakuha especially sa police stations sa Mabolo ug Waterfront (So far, we did not receive reports especially from police stations in Mabolo and Waterfront),” Chief Insp. Enrique Belciña, chief of the Public Community Relations division of the city police office, told The Freeman in a phone interview.

Last year, the office gathered at least five complaints from different police stations.

Belciña said the early warning against indecent acts by lovers in public places must have helped keep the day of hearts wholesome.

Police personnel were also deployed in several areas, including the I.T. Park, a famous mall, several hotels, and even the Plaza Independencia in downtown Cebu City.

“Compare sauna nga sa Plaza Indepencia naay mga incidents nga ingon ana karon wala na may na-reported (Several incidents were reported in the past but none was reported this year),” he said.

Belciña said expressing love is natural especially for lovers, but they should not be carried away especially when in public places. He said police would not have hesitated to arrest those who did so last Valentine’s Day.

Police Regional Office-7 Director Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino said observance of Valentine’s Day was generally peaceful despite the shooting incident in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City on Valentine’s  eve.

Degelia Dimpas, 50, was shot dead by her live-in partner Luis Dimpas, 55, for refusing to talk to the suspect several times. The two figured in a heated argument allegedly due to jealousy.

Luis reportedly lost his temper and shot Degelia several times using a .38 revolver.

Luis eluded the arrest.

“Hindi na man masasabi na related sa Valentine’s Day yung sa Mandaue kasi mas altercation na sila matagal na (We could not link the incident directly to Valentine’s Day because the conflict has been existing way before),” Constantino said. — Ria Mae Y. Booc and Aron Rempohito, USJ-R MassComm Intern/JMO (FREEMAN)