CEBU, Philippines - At least 20 units of handheld radios from the Philippine National Police national headquarters were turned over to Talisay City Police Chief Superintendent Reycel Carmelo Dayon.
The ceremonial turnover was held before the presence of Mayor Johnny De los Reyes and Chief Superintendent Rodel Calungsod, Communications and Electronics Service director of the PNP, yesterday morning.
De los Reyes said the radio communication is very vital to the police for its timely and accurate information dissemination and linkage to other police units citywide.
The mayor said he wants police officers to be more visible on the street and not just to stay inside the patrol car.
He added that he has observed some police officers who stay inside the vehicle and hang about in one area for how many hours.
"Naay mga pulis nga halos duha ka oras mag-standby sa usa ka lugar, ambot og unsa ang ilang gibuhat diha," the mayor said.
Dayon, for his part, said he never requested handheld radios from their national headquarters ever since but Calungsod who had been the chief of police way back 1998 offered it to them.
"I think Sir Calungsod knew the predicament of the local police ever since. We are just thankful to him," Dayon said, adding that the handheld radios could make their work easy and productive especially during a pursuit against criminals.
Dayon said that as what his predecessor did in the city, he wants to exert more effort on continuing their campaign against criminality and illegal activities.
Calungsod had been the chief of police when Talisay City was still a town and he also hounded by the problem of communication.
Calungsod told the police officers to use the equipment well for the exchange of his efforts.
He added that during his term as the chief of police, he could remember an operation wherein big-time drug peddlers from Ozamiz were arrested in Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City. (FREEMAN)