Curfew seen solution to crime rise in Digos City

DIGOS CITY—The city government is imposing a curfew starting next month in a move that city officials said was aimed at addressing growing criminality.

The curfew would have a direct effect on bars and night clubs that operate until 4 a.m. and which officials had blamed for the rising number of crimes in the city.

Mayor Joseph Peñas said police share his views about the curfew.

The city council earlier passed a resolution calling for a curfew following complaints against the rising number of crimes like robbery and gang wars.

Aside from being blamed for a rise in criminality, bars and night clubs are also the main reason for an increase in the number of cases of car accidents involving drunken drivers, said the mayor.

The council resolution calling for a curfew had been criticized by business owners who are protesting the curfew’s effect on operations of bars and night clubs.

Peñas said the sentiment of bar and night club owners had been taken into consideration and prompted a revision of the curfew resolution and adjustment of the curfew hours to start at 1 a.m. until sunrise.

Peñas said he had asked the city police chief, Supt. Querubin Manalang, to have curfew notices printed and distributed to businesses in the city. Eldie Aguirre, Inquirer Mindanao