CEBU, Philippines — Amidst the spate of killings in the metro, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Royina Garma has directed all station commanders to be more involved in church activities for counselling and guidance.
Garma, who granted an interview prior to her flight to Davao, said that this would help in establishing the relationship of the police and the community.
“I directed the station commanders to be actively involved in church activities to serve,” she said.
Garma pointed out that initiating this program with the church will help boost the efficacy of cops.
Aside from that, those arrested during anti-illegal drug operations will also be made to attend counselling sessions with priests and a few rehabilitative procedures, she said.
“The Catholic church has initiated wellness activities for rehabilitation sa mga drug dependents and surrenderers, at napakaganda ng programa nila. There is already a partnership, (and) I want to really establish it (further), once we open the wellness drop-in center, (although) I am still conceptualizing it. (Right now) I am more focused on the family of the suspects arrested,” Garma said.
According to Deputy Director for Administration, Superintendent Artemio Ricabo, the wellness center she was referring to would house the drug dependents arrested in operations that will voluntarily avail of free services.
Ricabo, in a phone interview, said that this will also aim to discourage arrested personalities from enticing relatives or friends in participating in anything illegal.
“Ang main idea ani is for the police nga naa sa operations at least naa sila guidance sa church, to follow human rights policies. And if magkina-unsa, sakto pagkabutang ila kalag kay paduol man sa Ginoo and para pud na naa spiritual guidance,” he said.
To recall, police have been in the receiving end of several criticisms coming from different sectors due to the spate of killings, which heightened following the three consecutive “dubious” shooting incidents which either targeted law enforcers or public officials.
The three separate incidents referred to was of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent Baby “Earl” Jon Rallos on July 27, supposed assassination attempt on Barangay Tejero Councilman Jessielou Cadungog last July 30 and the shooting of PDEA agent Von Rian Tecson on August 8.
Ricabo said though that they are unfazed by criticisms, since police are only doing what they are mandated to do.
He said that by cooperating with members of the church, those arrested might find peace and cops may improve in their line of duty.
“Wala na kaayo ta patay. With this program, at least matabangan ang mga dinakpan sa counseling hasta na pud ang pulis,” he said.
As of 6 p.m. yesterday, CCPO only tallied four cases of theft in the city while the rest from the eight focus crimes they are mandated to combat, tallied zero.
The focus crimes include murder, homicide, robbery, physical injuries, carnapping, motornappaing and rape.
While 44 were arrested for special city ordinances, including 10 minors rescued for violating curfew. (FREEMAN)