City police chief: ‘Baguio peaceful, tourists should come to find out’

BAGUIO CITY – This summer capital is relatively peaceful and tourists should have no qualms in coming for a visit.

This, in essence was the message of Senior Supt.  Jesus Cambay, Jr. as he reported accomplishments of city police during his nine months stint as city police director, during flag raising ceremonies here at city hall.

He said there was total crime volume of 4,792 incidents with theft and physical injuries most of offenses.

Crime “clearance efficiency” was 21.51% while crime solution efficiency was 18.71%.

The drive against illegal drugs had 16 persons arrested with 12 cases filed in court, confiscation of  4.22g of shabu and 433.46 of marijuana valued at P33,467 while the campaign against illegal gambling had 26 persons arrested, nine cases filed in court with P23,370.25 cash bets and assorted gambling paraphernalia confiscated.

On illegal logging, at least 374 board feet of pine wood worth P13,102.85 with three persons arrested with two cases filed in court, while on campaign against illegal firearms and explosives,13 persons were arrested with 12 cases filed in court.

Six high powered firearms were also confiscated, as with 12 low-powered firearms and 117 bullets.

Warrants of arrests were served resulting to the arrest of 224 wanted persons, while 26 most wanted persons were arrested.

Other special laws were also implemented with the apprehension of 16 persons for concealing deadly weapons.

Some 751 minors were accosted and either turned-over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development or to their guardians while 11 persons were arrested for drunkenness.

A total of P4,845,225 was collected by the city treasurer’s office with 25,321 due to apprehensions for violation of city ordinances, anti-peddling, anti-jaywalking, anti-littering, anti-smoking, anti-spitting, and urinating in public places.

Cambay, Jr, in his report, said police focused on prevention, preemption and solution to address the city’s concern on criminality, traffic and environmental degradation.

“These were anchored on “community mobilization and information operations,” he said.

Cambay, Jr. expressed gratitude to the city government for allotting more than P6 million worth of office supplies, repair of vehicles and other equipment like communication equipment to include hand held radios with battery packs, antenna and charger.

Support also came from the Baguio-Filipino Chinese community for two units of motorcycles; and another group for five units of mountain bikes; which improved patrol operations and police presence in the outskirt barangays.

Also specified in the report were anti-criminality programs such as Oplan Cross Rider: identification of entry and exit points, and checkpoints to hinder criminal element movements, use of closed circuit television to help identify and catch lawless elements; OplanSita/Kapkap, inspection of  drinking establishments; Oplan Rizal, programs to transform and rehabilitate children in conflict with the laws, identification of crime hot spots where personnel are deployed, Oplan Baklas Plaka for illegally parked vehicles and obstruction in roads, Project Tower, presence of police at pedestrian overpasses and at school belts during dismissal of classes.

A “no territorial boundaries” for police response rule was also implemented in all operating units and offices, Cambay reported. 

There were pre-emptive profiling for wanted and arrested persons, case conferences; “cold case” units; community mobilization where volunteers were encouraged as partners , information operation or “Oplan Tangguyub Alpha” where crime prevention tips and emergency contact numbers were distributed to the public. Feedback from the community was also solicited; as with suggestions and recommendations, Cambay said.