LOCAL police units in Cebu can pursue private armed groups even outside the jurisdictions of their police stations.
This is how serious the Philippine National Police is in going after illegal firearms which may fall into the hands of goons this election season.
“We already have the consent from our Police Regional Office director Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, Jr. for any police unit to go after private armed groups,” said Senior Supt. Patrocenio Comendador, Cebu Provincial Police Office director.
The police is closely monitoring three highly critical areas in the province., namely Bogo and Danao cities, and Dumanjug town.
Also included in the election watchlist areas are the towns of Daanbantayan, San Remegio, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Compostela, Consolacion, San Fernando, Ronda, Barili, Ginatilan, and Sogod.
“We are continuing our aggressive police operations every week. As of this moment, I can say that we are already 90 percent prepared for the upcoming election,” Comendador told reporters yesterday.
Intensified police drive against illegal firearms last April 12 to 14 netted 27 firearms./Correspondent Joy Cherry S. Quito