| 1 is to 3,550 is the ratio between police and Digoseņos |
| Written by Eldie S. Aguirre | |
| Monday, 04 August 2008 | |
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It could be a shameful fact but it’s the reality that the ratio between police personnel in the city against the number of people is way beyond the standard ratio of 1 cop per 500 individuals.
Digos City Mayor Arsenio Latasa speaking before members and the guests to the city peace and order council (CPOC) meeting on July 30 said for several times he have been requesting the PNP regional office for additional policemen to augment the deteriorating number of cops in the city but there was no action, until now.
Latasa admitted it was one of the reasons why the city could not field appropriate number of police personnel in various government establishments and installations that makes it more vulnerable to terrorist attacks.
“How could we attend all the needed precautionary measures to safeguard the lives and properties of the city with residents of 200 thousand when we only have 75 policemen?” Latasa said.
Chief Inspector Anthony Padua, Digos City police director also admitted their lack of firepower and insufficient budget for maintenance and operating expenses from the national government.
The city has been providing the basic needs of its police office from office supply, computers and patrol cars it badly needed for quick response during emergency cases.
Latasa previously purchased several modern firearms for the SWAT (Special Weapons Assault Team) but it was not enough to fill in the needed firepower and personnel to man the entire city consisting of 26 barangays.
Padua also informed the CPOC that the gradual relief and retirement of police officers without the necessary replacements has worsened the situation.
Just recently, two members of the intelligence group were relieved and reassigned to other province in the region. Again, there were no replacements sent to the police station to fill in the gap.
Nonetheless, Latasa expressed thanks over the unrelenting support of the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion (IB) for sending augmentation forces to assist the police in doing their duties and responsibilities in the urban center.
Major Lyndon Paniza, 39th IB commanding officer assured the residents of Digos City they would be working hand in hand with the police to protect the lives and properties of the people, especially in the maintenance of peace and order.
A team of army personnel is also stationed at the New Satellite Terminal in Aplaya, Digos City serving a back up unit for the police who are conducting intensive baggage inspection and intelligence gathering following the blast that killed a graduating student of Cor Jesu College and harmed 34 others in the morning of July 24.
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