Exec willing to tackle security woes if JVR reinstates previous position

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Councilor Danilo Caballero, a former ally of Mayor Johnny De los Reyes, yesterday said he was willing to address matters relative to peace and order in the city as long as the mayor reinstates his withdrawn executive order.

It can be recalled that De los Reyes revoked the executive functions of three of his allies – Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante and councilors Danilo Caballero and Aldin Diaz.

Caballero was given the function of vice-chairman of the Peace and Order Council.

Last February 20, De los Reyes issued a memorandum to Caballero, directing him to exert greater efforts in maintaining peace and order and initiate local ordinance in peace and order, including crime prevention at the commercial establishments and other public places.

But Caballero said the mayor sent a wrong communication since he was already stripped of his executive functions in the local peace and order council being the co-chairman.

"Allow this humble representation to remind you that the authority you have bestowed to the undersigned in responding matters relative to peace and order was revoked last January 30, 2015," Caballero said in a letter to the mayor.

More visibility

Meanwhile, a businessman urged the mayor to improve police visibility and deploy more motorcycle-riding policemen in the field to run after criminal elements who have been using motorbikes.

Hermogenes Galang Jr., who owns a bakeshop in Sitio Laray, Barangay San Roque, told The FREEMAN that his personnel at the bakeshop witnessed two unidentified armed men fire at a softdrink delivery truck before robbing at gunpoint its driver-salesman in front of their store yesterday afternoon.

Galang, also a barangay official in Tejero, Cebu City, said the two suspects were wearing full-face helmets when the crime was committed. It was yet to be determined how much was carted away by the robbers.

According to Galang, when the victims sought for the assistance of police of  Talisay, they were informed that they cannot respond to the incident because of lack of vehicle.

"Nanawag og pakitabang sa police unya mibalibad man ang taga-Talisay police kay wala man kuno'y sakyanan. Na-unsa man hinuon nga mo-responde og krimen dili man hinuon maka-responde kay wala'y sakyanan," Galang said.

Galang said the city should provide more mobility to the police, suggesting that stronger police presence on the streets would deter the commission of crimes.  (FREEMAN)