Crime rate in city down

CRIMINALITY rate in Cotabto City has tremendously decreased since the operation of the nightly “ronda” patrol led by City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi.

Newly installed Cotabato City Police Director Senior Superintendent Victor Valencia confirmed the toning down of the crime rate in the city.

In an interview, Valencia said that the Police Regional Office XII was amazed of the recent accomplishment of the City PNP to combat illegal drugs and criminalities.

“As compared with the situation in the previous months, there is dramatic decrease in terms of criminalities just for the months of October and November,” said S/Supt. Valencia.

Mayor Guiani-Sayadi, who is known for her tough but sincere style of leadership has been implementing the PNP-LGU joint “ronda” operation that aims to eradicate illegal drugs and criminalities since she assumed her position as the city vice mayor since July this year.

Later, when she succeeded the late mayor  Japal Guiani, Jr.,  she activated the “ronda” patrols down to the “purok level.”

Recently, Mayor Guiani-Sayadi also expressed commitment to the MASA MASID program during its regional launching last November 3 at General Santos City.

The MASA MASID or Mamamayan Ayaw sa Anomalya, Mamamayan Ayaw sa Iligal naDroga is a program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) that aims to encourage communities to take a pro-active stance in the government’s fight against corruption, illegal drugs, and criminalities.

Through the MASA MASID program, citizens and other concerned sectors can help the government in its campaign to eradicate crimes and illegal drugs in the country.

MASA MASID has four main thrusts which are information and education campaign in communities for government programs against corruption, illegal drugs, and criminality; creation of a reporting mechanism on illegal drug-related activities; formulation of community-based rehabilitation programs; and revival of the spirit of volunteerism by creating a volunteer-friendly atmosphere for organizations that wish to be partners for change. (GILMHAR A. LAO – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)