The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Negros Oriental, especially in Dumaguete, has heightened its monitoring of suspicious persons and groups following a report of armed men sighted in a van in this capital city.
Acting PNP provincial director Sr. Supt. Noli Romana, however, said that he has not received any official information regarding the presence of dubious armed men in Dumaguete.
Nevertheless, the police are on the alert amidst the opening of classes in June which Romana said would be an ideal time for notorious criminal personalities to take advantage of.
A report from the police recently said PNP operatives were monitoring a group of men in Dumaguete believed to be carrying high powered firearms, although according to Romana, this has still to be verified.
According to Sr. Supt. Romana, the trend shows an increase in crimes during the opening of classes as students become unsuspecting, vulnerable targets of criminals.
In a command conference last month with the varous police chiefs, Romana disclosed he has ordered them to increase their efforts in crime fighting due to opening of school year 2013-2014. (PNA/JFP)
