New PNP PRO-X RD clamps down on security

by: Mike Baños

The newly appointed director of the Philippine National Police in Region X has clamped down security in the region following a series of high profile crimes prior to his new assignment.

In a meeting held Sept. 29  with members of the Misamis Oriental Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (Oro Chamber), Philippine-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCCI) and the Cagayan de Oro Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Chief Supt. Jufel C. Adriatico vowed to restore peace and order in the region once reputed to be the most peaceful in Mindanao.

Chief Supt. Jufel C. Adriatico, PNP PRO-X RD, addresses the joint session of the MOFCCCI, Oro Chamber, PCCCI and CDOFCCCI. Joining Dir. Adriatico in the presidential table are (L-R) Ricky Go, PCCCI President; Robert Ching, MOFCCCII President; Tony Uy, Oro Chamber President and Quinciano Lui, CDOFCCCI President. (MOFCCCII photo)

“I have ordered the immediate implementation of tight checkpoints in the key entry and exit points of Cagayan de Oro,” Dir. Adriatico said during his presentation. “On top of that, our personnel have been instructed to strictly implement the firearms ban in Cagayan de Oro City and I have stopped police personnel from wearing their blue patrol uniforms which have often been reported to have been used by criminals.”

Dir. Adriatico has also directed police personnel to stop and investigate all motorcycles and motor vehicles traveling without license plates.

The clampdown followed the high-profile kidnapping of local business Manuel Boniao last Sept. 19 by six armed men aboard a red Mitsubishi Adventure with plate number KCF-331. The abductors were reportedly dressed in blue PNP patrol shirts . Mr. Boniao was released unharmed on the evening of Sept. 24. Mayor Vicente Y. Emano said in a radio interview that the kidnappers were paid “board and lodging” expenses but did not elaborate.

In a press conference at Camp Alagar Sept. 30, Dir. Adriatico said eyewitnesses positively identified two of the six suspects who have been charged before the City Prosecutor's Office as Malik M. Guro and Abdul S. Raco, both residents of Marawi City.

He added that he has instructed that the owner of the getaway vehicle also be included in the charge sheet for his failure to report his vehicle as being stolen.

Two days after Mr. Boniao was kidnapped, another failed armed robbery hit the Cogon market in the city poblacion. However, another resident reportedly fell victim to con artists who duped her of some P600,000 worth of cash and jewelry on the same day at a local shopping mall. Last May 12, a Banco de Oro branch was divested of over P600, 000 by five armed men in a daring daylight robbery. Five suspects have been charged for the latter incident.

Besides addressing immediate security issues, Dir. Adriatico told the four chambers he has also ordered the reopening of investigations into heinous crimes in the region which remain unsolved and the hot pursuit of most wanted criminals in the regions as listed in the PNP Order of Battle.

Officers and members of the four chambers join PNP PRO-X RD Jufel C. Adriatico for a souvenir photo. (MOFCCCII photo)

In behalf of the four business chambers, Mr. Uy committed the business sector’s full support and cooperation with the PNP PRO-X initiatives in the interest of peace and order. The business sector is mulling the restoration of Operation Kahusay ug Kalinaw (OKK) a joint project of local civic groups with the Cagayan de Oro Police Office (COCPO) where civilian volunteers help man police outposts at night.