CEBU City Mayor Tomas Osmeña wants to meet the police force in the city to possibly discuss the peace and order situation.
Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Royina Garma confirmed this
after she and the 11 police station chiefs visited City Hall on Monday, March 4.
Garma said they were called by Osmeña for a meeting.
"Wala kaming idea but definitely peace and orde. I'm very sure its related to our work. It was the mayor who called, and it must be very important," Garma told VoxPop Cebu when asked about what are the matters they will discuss with the mayor.
However, due to conflict of schedule, Osmeña was not able to meet Garma and the rest of the police officers.
The meeting between Osmeña and Garma was scheduled at 11 a.m. Monday, March 4, but the police officers arrived in City Hall around 1 p.m.
Garma said they arrived late because they still attended an activity at the CCPO. The activity was originally scheduled at 9 a.m., but it was moved to 11 a.m.
Garma said they just agreed with the mayor's staff to reschedule the meeting on Thursday, March 7.
While this developed, opposition Councilor Joel Garganera urged Inayawan barangay captain Kirk Bryan Repollo to continue the construction of a police station in his village following the recent anti-illegal drug operation in the area.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) was supposed to build a P5-million police station in Inayawan but construction was halted because the barangay wanted another area for it.
A groundbreaking was held in April last year for the project.
Garganera said the mayor and Repollo, who is an ally of Osmeña, were urged even before to allow the construction.
"It should push through because Police Station 7 (where Inayawan belongs) is one of the biggest in terms of population but sad to say it is the smallest police station," he said.
In an operation last Sunday, March 3, the police arrested 31-year-old Elymar Ancajas in Inayawan, where 18 kilos of shabu worth P122,400,000 was seized.
In an earlier interview, Repollo said they are not against the construction but they are currently using the lot, which is the location of the supposed police station, as a parking area for the barangays vehicles such as garbage trucks, Kaohsiung bus, coaster and mini bus, among others.
The property was donated to the police in February 2017 during the time of former village chief Lutherlee Ignacio-Soon since the property was idle.
According to Repollo, the barangay council passed a resolution for the donation of the property but did not include an authorization yet for Soon to sign the deed of donation.
Repollo is set to hold a press conference on Tuesday, March 5, to answer the issue.
Meanwhile, Councilor Dave Tumulak urged the barangays to continue their support to the police by providing information related to illegal activities in their area.
Tumulak said the recent series of drug haul in the barangays is a result of the public's cooperation. (RVC/VoxPop Cebu)