CIDG recruiting profs in fight against crime

By Christian D. Supnad

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union- The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group is recruiting 1,000 professionals, including journalists to help police in combating crime and help in investigative works.

This was revealed by Senior Supt. Rene D. Ong, chief of the police directorial staff, who said they have been courting the voluntary services of various professionals, including doctors, lawyers, journalists, chemists, businessmen and gun holder members who are willing to share their professional expertise in the investigation and solution of crimes being handled by the CIDG.

“We believe that no amount of skillful law enforcement and meticulous police work can effectively aid in crime prevention and control without the indispensable and active participation of the professional sectors in the community,” said Ong during the mass oath-taking and seminar of hundreds of volunteers of the Community Investigative Support (CIS) of the CIDG.

According to Senior Supt. Joel Balba, one of the lecturers, the CIDG is targeting to recruit around 1,000 professionals in the provinces from Luzon to Mindanao to help the CIDG in its gargantuan task. “The main task of the CIS is to investigate and gather information in the community and there is now an urgent need for establishing a mutually beneficial partnership in the community.”

Ong said the CIS was conceptualized within the context of the PNP Letter of Instruction “Bayanihan” in its efforts to curb criminality and maintain peace and order with the participation of the community. “The CIS will serve as the CIDG’s citizen investigative network whose function is to help in information and evidence gathering, pre-empt crimes and to solve cases.”

The CIS will become legitimate agents of the CIDG as they were clothed legally with the power to arrest lawless elements, issued CIDG’s badge and identification cards and are on the official rooster of the CIDG.

The PNP were alarmed by reports that there are certain organized crime groups that possess more sophisticated firearms and network than the police and this has prompted the PNP leadership to tap, organize and mobilize the CIS to assist the CIDG curb criminality as they (CIS members) are based right inside the community where they could get information on criminal activities.