Migrants commit most crimes in Sagada: PNP

By Gina Dizon

SAGADA, Mountain Province – Crime is increasing in this tourist town and most were committed by migrants, police told a press conference.  

Young writers from five high schools of Sagada were urged by barangay officials and police to help prevent increasing crimes here during consultation held here Sept. 5.

The event organized by Sagada Perspectives, a local paper and the Sagada-Philippine National Police gathered some 35   student writers from   secondary schools- Sagada National High,  Antadao National High, Bangaan National High, Balugan National High and St. Mary’s School  who were  updated on peace and order situation of the  town and  interact with attending barangay officials and the police.

KagawadTodyog of Bangaan said student-writers were their supporting   force in keeping peace and order in the community as barangay officials told students to challenge LGU officials to implement sleeping barangay and municipal ordinances.

Crimes here were mostly committed by young persons aged 15 to 25, said Sagada  chief of police Senior Insp. Peter Angyoda.

Angyoda, in a report,  said there was increasing number of  index crimes  including physical injuries, rape, carnapping, robbery  and   violation of  curfew  hours  from  38 last year  to   48  in 2015  and   non-index crimes including illegal logging and violation of  the rights of women and children from  86 incidents  last year  to 102 in   2015.

It was noted that a  large number of crime  incidents  both index and non-index  were noted in PatayPoblacion  followed by Dagdag and Ambasing and  the least in remote areas  including  Tanulong,  Nacagang, Aguid ,Tetep-an and Kilong.

PatayPoblacion barangay chairman Dennis Lopez said most crime offenders were migrants.  

Angyoda confirmed this although there was no definite number presented committed by migrant crime offenders and permanent residents.

Angyoda urged need for an intensified anti-crime campaign and one way to do this was increase support to  undermanned police force. 

Angyoda suggested that barangay LGUs hire barangay tanods while municipal government hires additional traffic aides.

The chief of police also encouraged volunteers to help in peace and order.

He urged the municipal government to support deputization of interested volunteers and the police to enable them to penalize erring motorists.

Meantime, Skyler Dagacan of Sagada NHS asked the police on their implementation of the curfew ordinance banning minors from roaming and drinking in liquor shops beyond 9 pm.

SP04 Rafael Pinayakan said the youth go to areas including bonfire spots not usually patrolled by police.

Participating students told police to tell establishments not to sell liquor and cigarettes to minors.

They also urged elders and parents to be good models and monitor their own children; and schools to include in their lessons values of crime prevention.

Bangaan barangay chairman Osenio Lay-os also said disciplining children is part of customary practice.