By Alfonso T. Ruda
DIPOLOG CITY -
The peace and order
situation in Dipolog City is generally peaceful, according to City Police
Office chief, Police Superintendent Joven R. Parcon.
In
a press conference held at his office Monday morning, Parcon admitted that
robbery and thievery cases were happening in the city but “these are isolated
cases and manageable.”
Citing
the latest robbery incident wherein the two suspects took away more or less
P200,000.00 from a lending institution along General Luna st. this city, Parcon
said the suspects were already identified and are now being hunted down.
Parcon,
however, felt dismayed by the indifference of the victims as they are showing
no interest in pursuing the case.
According
to Parcon, his office has recorded 16 shooting incidents from January to July
this year, leaving eight dead and another eight wounded. Two cases have already
been filed in court against the perpetrators.
He
attributed the less number of cases filed against the criminals to the “indifference
of the surviving victims and the family of the victims themselves.”
“As
much as we want to run after the suspects and file appropriate charges against
them but since most of the victims themselves won’t cooperate with the police,
we can’t do anything,” Parcon said.
He
asked the public to trust the police and to report to the authorities any
suspicious-looking persons spotted in their areas, citing the vital role of the
community in providing information about any crime. He also assured that any
information given to the police will be treated with utmost confidentially and the
same will be accorded appropriate action.
Parcon
assured the public of PNP’s commitment to perform its prime duty to protect the
lives and properties of the people. He
also appealed to the public not put political color to the work of the police.
“Our police will serve every Dipolognon with sincerity,” said Parcon.
With
the city’s population of more 127,000, the ratio now is 1 police for every 500
Dipolognon. Though the CPO lacks personnel, it will do its best to prevent the
occurrence of any criminalities in the city so as not to tarnish the peaceful
image of the city.