Crime volume in city decreases

CHANGE OF COMMAND --- Senior Superintendent Rolly Octavio (right) is the new police director of the Cotabato City Police Office, replacing Senior Superintendet Victor Valencia. The turn-over ceremony was held at the South Seas Convention Hall last September 22 following the regular Peace and Order Council meeting. The CCPO also received additional 120 police personnel from the Police Regional Office-12 to augment the anti-crime efforts of the city police. “We are very lucky to have them here,” City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi said. (GILMHAR A. LAO – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- “The crime volume in this city drastically dropped to 60.35 percent for the 3rd Quarter of 2017,” outgoing City Police Director Senior Superintendent Victor Valencia said during the Peace and Order Council meeting last September 22 held at the South Seas Convention Hall.

Valencia said the decrease in crime volume was a product of the police, Armed Forces, local government unit, and community partnership working towards a crime-free and harmonious environment.

“The city government’s support in terms of personnel, logistical, and financial resources greatly enhanced the police capability in combating street crimes,” Valencia said.

Valencia added that security concerns of the community via social media are also a great help for these have been immediately brought to the attention of the city mayor and then relayed to the forces on the ground for quick police response.

“For the time being, a sense of security is assured to every Cotabateňo though we do not discount the constant threat of terrorism and atrocities from lawless elements – those are kept at bay through community vigilance and target hardening measures,” Valencia said.

Valencia said the city police is grateful on the continuous support from the local government unit, non-government organizations, and AFP counterparts as well as business and religious sectors and other stake holders to further strengthen security and the peace and order situation.

“We do this collaborative effort in combating the local terrorist groups and other criminal elements which continuously threaten the peace and tranquility of our society,” Valencia said.

Further, Valencia said the prevailing situation is normal and under manageable condition and considered as business as usual, thus, “we could say that our city is a safer place to live, work, and do business with.”

Following the Peace and Order Council meeting was the change of command in the Cotabato City Police Office.

Senior Superintendent Rolly Octavio is now the city police director replacing Senior Superintendent Victor Valencia.

The CCPO also received additional 120 police personnel from the Police Regional Office-2 to augment the peace keeping efforts of the city police. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)