PSSupt Ingking asks town execs' help in anti-crime program

AT the receiving end of criticisms over apparent inefficiency in crime solution, the new Bohol provincial police director pleads for more community partnership and help from local government to raise police chances in curbing crimes. New Provincial Police Director Edgardo Ingking, in his recent briefing at the League of Municipalities of the Philippines has openly asked the mayors led by Inabanga's Josephine Socorro Jumamoy to continue supporting the local police. Into its Enhanced Crime Prevention Program, the new police head said they would appreciate the help of local governments in coming up with measures to raise force multipliers through community partnership.

In his briefing before the majority of Bohol chief executives gathered at the Governor's Mansion, he bared that that the cops are easily made inutile with a cop barely able to cover five square kilometers of assigned area. Bohol police total strength is 973 personnel. This even splatters an even bleaker picture of keeping peace with only a cop to protect 1,513 citizens, he pointed. “That cop may not even have a short fire-arm.”

The local police force still needs side-arms for its men in 52 police stations across the province,” he added. PSSupt Ingking however said he is set to equitably distribute 111 new police personnel expected for assignment to Bohol soon, even if it would raise the side-arm deficit even more. With the recent crimes perpetuated by motorcycle riding men, Bohol police forces only got 38 four wheel vehicles with a total gasoline allocation of 2.1 liters, he said in a powerpoint presentation. “By normal factor, 2.1 liters amount only to a pursuing capacity of 16 kilometers before the cars run out of gas.” Average fund allocated for station per day runs to a measly P115 pesos, he said. In reaction to this, the mayors who have had good use of the local peace keeping forces aired their sides as PD Ingking gathered their comments and suggestions.

Now faced with a full implementation of Oplan “Sumpo Krimen” on robbery and high profile crimes, the Bohol top cop said he has directed his men to keep regular COMELEC checkpoints and sustain the tourist police. To complement for the lack in manpower, PSSupt Ingking said he would revive the initiative for BPPO Information and Communication System in collaboration with LGUs. This features an active internet link among all police stations. In its plan to intensify the implementation of community-based crime prevention program and aggressive anti-crime counter measures plus internal reforms in the police force, and with the community support, PSSupt. Ingking hopes that crime incidence may be maintained at a minimum level.

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