For Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria, there can be no progress without peace and order. After announcing the extension of the contracts of the 1886 job order employees by one month, Sagarbarria turned to the City’s acting chief of police, Chief Insp. Errol Garchitorrena and directed him to ensure the safety of the residents. {{more}}
No sooner had he issued the directive when he heard of the shooting incident in barangay Pulangtubig that killed 62-year-old Francisco Castanares of lower Camanjac Thursday morning.
Castanares was shot and killed by a still-unknown motorcycle-riding suspect as he was driving a motorcycle to the Ramon Magsaysay Elementary School to fetch his son.
It was the second attempt on Castanares life. He had been shot last May 30 near his house, injuring him in his arm.
Police said that based on statements from the family of Castanares, the motive of the killing could have been a family grudge involving some real estate. Another angle, police said, is the victim’s alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.
“A big part of the peace and order problem comes from drugs,” Sagarbarria said.
Sagarbarria said he has asked Sr. Supt. Augusto Marquez, provincial police director, to beef up the Dumaguete City Police force.
The City also has a trained civilian force called the Barangay Public Assistance Office, which Sagarbarria said can play a big role in the war against crime.
Another priority of Sagarbarria is finding out exactly how much money is in the City coffers. The figures, submitted by the various department heads, come in trickles.
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