The City of Dumaguete has hired 24 auxiliary policemen to strengthen its anti-crime program in the wake of a string of burglaries that affected several homes in Amigo Subd. in barangay Piapi and Oracion Subd. in barangay Looc last month.
City Administrator William Ablong said the hiring of the 24 auxiliary policemen was done upon the recommendation of the City Peace and Order Council.
“We provide financial assistance to police and barangay tanods. We also provide honorarium for the barangay tanods and for the police. W also provided motorcycles, 4-wheeled vehicles, radio handsets, and other equipment that will help deter crime,” Ablong told the MetroPost.
The City’s position was sought following mounting complaints by residents of the two subdivisions after the burglaries.
Police reports revealed that the burglars entered the Credo residence along Roxas St. around 3 a.m. of March 11 and stole the personal belongings of Atty. Ann Claire Credo-Cabochan. According to her mother, Lina Credo, the burglar entered through the window by removing the steel bars and jalousies.
On the same street last March 28, Engineering Prof. Yong Gyun Kim woke up at around 5:30 a.m. and found out that his house was burglarized. The burglars also entered the house by removing the glass jalousies. After that incident, Prof. Kim asked for two more dogs from his friends to guard their house.
Other burglary victims were from the Castigador Apartment, who also said that burglars destroyed their window screen to reach for valuable things.
At Oracion Subd., burglars broke into three houses all on the same night of March 15. Dr. Lilia Magsipoc said the burglars managed to get inside their living room by removing the jalousies from the window and reaching in to unlock the door. The burglars failed to get anything, however, because they kept their valuable things in their rooms.
One house away from Magsipoc, burglars also tore the window screen of Gloria Erum’s room and reached for her bag. But Erum woke up in time to scare the burglars away.
Angelita C. Ragay, barangay captain of Looc, said they have barangay tanods and other officials who, along with her, roam around the barangay from 8 p.m. She explained they only do this until 2 a.m. since others have work by daytime.
Piapi Barangay Capt. Tomasa Amor, meanwhile, said they have barangay tanods roving around Piapi from 8pm to 3 a.m. since they only have two groups. There is also one policeman assigned for Piapi. “I told residents to be extra careful in their homes. There was once burglary which took place after one door was left unlocked by the student who was renting the apartment,” she added.
PO1 Ed Clint Maranan, a Dumaguete City police desk officer, advised residents to be alert for burglaries, especially during the rainy season.
He assured that the City Quick Reaction(CQR) team conducts regular patrols around the City everyday. He also said they have been conducting checkpoints. (Angeline Nabua & Donita Bemida, SU Masscom interns)
