By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia on Saturday denied reports he was planning to remove Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) acting director, Police Senior Superintendent Jack Wanky, from his post, in light of a recent spike in the number of robbery incidents across the city.
The mayor affirmed he has not lost confidence in the city police chief.
“I’m watching the public perception and reaction, and I always make it a point to get proper guidance,” he said.
Wanky, meanwhile, said he has yet to receive feedback from the mayor regarding his performance, noting, if Leonardia is not satisfied with his performance, it is not a problem for him.
There is always someone who can do better, he added.
Over the weekend, both Leonardia and Wanky met with representatives of the local call center industry to discuss ways in which to better protect employees.
The police chief noted, companies were willing to fund fuel expenses for police vehicles in order for them to patrol the streets, along with the use of shuttle buses to transport call center agents instead of public utility vehicles.
In addition, Bacolod Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya suggested banning the practice of riding-in-tandem in the city.
Wanky said the proposal was forwarded to City Councilor Dindo Ramos, who chairs the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) committee on transportation.
He added, a similar ordinance was adopted by Mandaluyong City in Metro Manila and he requested a colleague to retrieve a copy in order for city officials to review the policy.
Last year, City Councilor Plaridel Nava II filed a similar resolution before Iloilo City Council, where penalties from P5,000 to three months in prison for violators were proposed; however, exemptions to the rule allowed for females, immediate family, relatives, and males below 18 years of age to be motorcycle passengers./WDJ