By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said, yesterday, the city is upset over the reported robbery and rape of a call center agent in Barangay Mansilingan last week.
Leonardia said, following the incident, he talked with Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) chief, Police Senior Superintendent Jack Wanky, in order to provide assistance to the victim.
“As far as the criminal aspect is concerned, we already have a suspect,” Leonardia said.
The mayor stated the City Health Office (CHO) and the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) are now conducting stress debriefing sessions for the victim, due to the traumatizing experience she went through.
Leonardia also reminded Wanky the call center industry in Bacolod is “precious,” as it is a prime mover and economic stimulant for the city.
“We have more than 20,000 employees, earning an average of P15,000, so using a conservative estimate, we are talking about billions being infused into the economy every year,” Leonardia said. “We cannot afford for this to get affected.”
Wanky, meanwhile, said after reviewing the city’s existing evening security plans, they discovered the need for enhancement.
Under the revision, the BCPO has started prohibiting colorum tricycles and, at the same time, enhancing their information education for workers, especially those working in the evening.
The police chief also stated they are now preparing criminal charges against the suspects, who are already identified, but refused to name them.
Last Wednesday, the call center agent was allegedly robbed and raped by two tricycle riding suspects.
The victim was initially picked up at Purok San Jose, Barangay Alijis, and requested to be brought to her workplace along Lacson street.
Upon reaching Barangay Taculing, however, the suspects held her at gun and knifepoint.
The suspects brought her to Barangay Mansilingan, where she was allegedly raped and robbed by the two, before dropping her off to La Salle Ville Subdivision in the said barangay.
One of the suspects was later nabbed by police after he was positively identified by the victim, but was also released as charges have yet to be filed./WDJ