Rey Anthony Chiu
TAGBILARAN CITY, June 02, 2012 (PIA) – Crimes in Sagbayan from in the first five months of the year compared too the same period last year.
At the recent out-of town Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis (TSIP) hosted by Sagbayan local government, chief of Police (COP) Rolando Antipolo broke the good news to the members of the media gathered for the monthly event at the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall.
Through a powerpoint presentation, PCInspector Antipolo said crimes occurring in Sagbayan from January to May 2011 reached 45, a figure that dropped to 11 for the same period this year.
Asked how the local police were able to successfully curb crimes, the chief modestly shared his secrets.
He said his secrets are with the critical use of the Police Integrated Patrol System (PIPS), earning the complete support of the municipal and barangay local governments as well as the crucial help of communities through clandestine reporting of suspicious persons or criminal activity.
Sagbayan Mayor Ricardo Suarez quickly added that it is natural for them to stand behind their man, “knowing his dedication and commitment to work.”
Earlier, local officials have aired their concern for additional police warm-bodies in town.
The town administrator, during an earlier Pulis sa Barangay launching said Sagbayan has 24 barangays and only 21 officers are assigned there.
Despite the clear number issues, Sagbayan police still was able to maintain peace and order.
PCIspector Antipolo admitted the PIPS gave them the hint on how to apportion critical resources to where they are needed to make an impact.
Showing the crime clock, crime day and other crime incident profiles in town, Inspector Antipolo said he has to do more police visibility patrols in areas in their crime map, on crime days.
”I do not want my men to stay in the office all the time,” he said.
“Have you heard of crimes happening near police stations?,” he asks bolstering his directive to his men to spread out in areas where crimes often happen.
Proactive in crime prevention, Antipolo’s work philosophy has gotten him deep into the soul of Sagbayanons that even Mayor Suarez admitted he has flexed his muscles to keep his chief form getting re-shuffled.
When we heard he was about to be shuffled, I talked to the governor to ask him to help us get him to stay, the mayor said. (30)