This is the price of peace and order. Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim yesterday defended the move of the Tagbilaran PNP to install checkpoints in the different entrance and exit points in the city. “The problem with some people is that they only think of their own personal interest,” the mayor declared. The checkpoints have drawn adverse reaction from drivers and operators of vans-for-hire particularly those servicing tourists who complain that this is delaying their trips. Lim, however, said that the checkpoints are necessary to monitor the entry and exit of motorists with the spate of violence in nearby towns. Just two weeks ago, the sister of two former mayors of Baclayon town was shot dead while a brother was hit in the head in Corella town by robbery suspects who took off with the unspecified loot from the victims.

The mayor said the delay that the checkpoints cause is a small sacrifice to pay for the maintenance of peace and order in the city. Lim took the occasion to refresh the drivers of a series of hold-up incidents several years back where a van driver was implicated with the hold-up gang. “No one told us about his activities even though there were other drivers who were aware of his suspicious activities,” he noted. The mayor said that if only those who sensed about the erring driver's involvement with the hold-up reported the incident, it would have prevented the death of a security guard who was shot and killed by the gang in the botched hold-up of a bank along CPG Avenue .

“Those who knew about the driver's involvement beforehand but did not report it to authorities have to deal with their conscience for being remiss with their social obligation,” he added. Lim said that the problem with people is the propensity for “one-way traffic”. “They only want to be on the receiving end but they do not want to give back,” he lamented.

The mayor said that the checkpoints will continue even with the adverse reaction because this is a deterrent for those who planning to commit crimes in the city. “Peace and order does not come free, so if we want it we should be ready for inconveniences and even small sacrifices,” he added. Lim reminded the complaining drivers should bear in mind that the government is the one responsible for giving them an atmosphere that is conducive for their livelihood. He noted that the airport and terminal down to the roads and bridges to the tourism destination were constructed by the government.

“If you cannot cooperate with the measures that we are installing to keep the city and its environs safe, then you take your business somewhere else,” he added. Lim pointed out that the task of securing the community is no joke but a “24-7” affair. “While the rest of the people rest or sleep, the criminals are awake and on the lookout for the opportunity to strike,” he added. The mayor said he does not want to be reactive but prefers taking precautionary measures to dissuade criminals from preying on people in the city. “People can disagree with me or even criticize me but they can never accuse me of not doing anything about this threat,” he stressed.