Supt. James Goforth, Dumaguete City chief of police, has called for community participation in the efforts to curb criminality in the city.
Goforth said he noted that the police can only do so much in responding to, preventing, and solving crimes but cannot do this alone. He lamented that some quarters keep criticizing the police for their “sloppy” performance, but are not doing anything to help fight and solve criminality.
Concerned citizens have complained after a series of crimes in the city recently, like the alleged rape of a 17-year old Wednesday in a comfort room at the Pastoral Center of the Diocese of Dumaguete, and the young female passenger, who claims she was robbed when she passed out while on a motorcab-for-hire.
Police investigation showed that at around 1 p.m. Wednesday, the 17-year old girl was leaving the comfort room at the Pastoral Center when the suspect, later identified as Michael Isidro, pointed a knife a her, then pushed her back inside, took her cellphone, cash and other items, and allegedly raped her.
A close-circuit television camera at the nearby hospital caught a man who fit the description of the victim and Isidro was arrested at around 7 p.m. on the same day and was positively identified by the victim.
Goforth also said they are investigating further the case of the young woman, who claimed she passed out after flagging down a pedicab in downtown Dumaguete and who told investigators that the driver allegedly covered her face, but Goforth said there was no attempted rape as earlier reported.
He advised the riding public to adopt safety measures when riding pedicabs, such as texting a family member or somebody close to them the body number of the public transport.
He also suggested that those working late night shifts at call centers should adopt the “buddy system” and not go home alone. (PNA)
