No Christmas party for C. Visayas cops

POLICE units in Cebu were ordered not to hold Christmas parties and instead donate the money intended for the merrymaking to typhoon survivors.

Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino, director of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), said not holding Christmas parties is one way of showing sympathy to the typhoon survivors.

Constantino said the budget for the Christmas party will be used to buy rice and other relief goods.

Supt. Paul Labra II, chief of the Regional Intelligence Division (RIF), said there will be a gathering but it should not be lavish.

There were 59 policemen from Cebu whose houses were destroyed.

Constantino said these policemen continue to report for work while dealing with the dilemma of being homeless.

Constantino said personnel from Camp Crame brought relief goods to the affected policemen in northern Cebu.

Cash assistance was also given.

Constantino said some police stations in northern Cebu were damaged but remained operational.

Police from the Regional Public Safety Batallion are still in Bantayan to help in the clearing and rehabilitation.

Constantino said the 66 policemen will be pulled out as soon as electricity in the area is restored./CORRESPONDENTS CHITO O. ARAGON AND MICHELLE JOY L. PADAYHAG