by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM
Weekly Kapehan guests on May 30 came from the Philippine National Police (PNP). Topic discussed was Aklan Peace and Security measures. Panelists were Police Senior Inspector Jeffrey Todeño, APPO; Police Inspector Bernard Ufano, Kalibo PNP; and Police Officer 2 Nida L. Gregas, APPO.
School opening on June 1 expected some 22 million school children all over the country trooping to their classrooms creating a need for security measures by the PNP. Oplan Balik Eskwela was designed to counteract problems associated with the main-tenance of peace and order in school campuses. Spike in crime statistics usually occur with population increases in a certain area over a period of time.
Atty. Allen S. Quimpo underscored the foundation for any meaningful life is peace and security. Virtually, there is no economic development without it. The former congressman said "attainment of this goal can be strong partnership between the police and community operating under the rule of law".
PSI Todeño said that "implementation of Oplan Balik Eskwela calls for the establishment of Police Assistance Center manned by two PNP personnel in all leading schools found in urban center. This will be augmented by police visibility or foot patrols in critical areas. Two weeks duration will be devoted by the cops to rapport with students. Police will give lectures on crime prevention, giving eyewitness accounts on crime cases, traffic rules/regulations, and others. Flag raising ceremony on the first day of classes will be led by elements of PNP to heighten patriotic awareness".
PI Ufano of the Kalibo PNP reported that crime incidence for the month of April 2009 was 121 physical injuries of which 114 cases were solved, 18 robbery cases of which 10 solved and 62 thieves of which 35 were solved. Foot patrols on active duty day and night are instituted in crime-prone areas to discourage thieves, robberies and vandalism.
Surprisingly, blue guards are sometimes caught sleeping on their jobs. Ufano revealed the 73 PNP regular personnel of Kalibo are bolstered by another 20 making it highly capable to provide security to a sprawling metropolis.
PO2 Gregas is confident that students and their parents will respond favorably to the pro-active measures the PNP instituted. She said, "proper info dissemination targeting youth could be potent solution to increasing skirmishes with authorities".
Issues and concern were on crimes committed against person which totaled 201 in April 2009 where 159 cases were solved. This means that 21 per cent remain unsolved and are still in the process of resolution. Considering that the PNP works have been augmented and professionalized, it is essential that they improve their previous per-formance. Apparently, more funds and personnel must be employed on intelligence operations and image building.
Syndicated crimes like "Budol-budol, Salisi, Dugo-dugo", and others often cropped up during critical period preying on unsuspecting folks and divesting them of hardly earned cash and valuables. While victims often seek police assistance, majority are reluctant to cooperate with authorities. Apprehension and conviction of members of criminal syndicates are usually light and after a brief period of time are free to operate again.
Laws must be amended so that any person found guilty of crimes be given stiffer penalties.
Prov’l Police Inspector Clarence Guinto has Brgy. Peace Keeping Action Center piloted in Tugas, Makato, a relatively peaceful community. This project elicited adverse reactions from the residents who reported to the CBIS radio station, Kalibo. There is over deployment of two police personnel on 24 hour duty, the report added. PSI Todeño clarified that this was based on previous report that Brgy. Tugas has peace and order problem like fishpond dispute.
In a related develop-ment, land disputes in Boracay oftentimes involving influential people are now covered by PNP directive against personnel of security agencies carrying long firearms or assault weapons.
Virtually, peace and security could be achieved if police personnel are doing their jobs right. The advent of electronic mail and texting could be defining moment of our times as crimes are reported to PNP but expanding slum areas in the heart of Kalibo with army of unemployed and teeming out of school youth are constant social battlegrounds between law enforcers and an alienated population group. Problems could be potential threat to our common aspiration of lasting peace, security and a better life. /MP
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