BACOLOD City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran told Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, officer-in-charge of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), to submit a monthly report of crime incidents in the city.
Familiaran said Wednesday, January 10, they are receiving daily crime incident reports, but the BCPO should also submit a monthly report to the City Council.
“I already requested Ebreo to submit their monthly report so that we will know the crime statistics here,” he said.
Familiaran noted that one of their concerns is the pull out of the augmentation personnel of the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) in Bacolod for deployment to the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City.
“The deployment of personnel in various areas, especially during night time, is a big help to deter the robbery hold-ups involving riding-in-tandem suspects,” Familiaran said.
He said there is no assurance that the RPSB personnel will return to Bacolod after their deployment to Iloilo.
“The presence of policemen on the streets is a big help to maintain peace and order in Bacolod,” he added.
Familiaran said it is now a challenge to Ebreo to maintain the peace and order without the augmentation from RPSB.
Meanwhile, Familiaran said he is hopeful that the ordinance regulating “riding-in-tandem” will be implemented within a month.
He said the ordinance is set to be signed by Mayor Evelio Leonardia and it will be forwarded to BCPO for enforcement.
“It is a big contribution to deter crime incidents using motorcycles,” he added.
The ordinance was authored by Councilor Dindo Ramos, chairperson of committee on transportation.
The ordinance stated it is unlawful for any driver and his back rider to ride in tandem on motorcycle on any given day during the period of 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Exempted from the coverage of this ordinance are back riders who are constrained to ride on motorcycle under emergency situation, Ramos said, adding that such condition shall be determined by the apprehending officers.
Back riders with legitimate reason for travel at night in relation to their job like call center agents, security force or similar line of work are also exempted, however, they should present a valid identification card.
Drivers will be fined P300 or imprisonment of three days at the discretion of the court while the back rider will be fined P200 or imprisonment of two days.
