By CESAR JOLITO III
The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is urging the public to immediately report holdup incidents and other crimes to authorities instead of posting them on social media.
BCPO chief Police Colonel Eugene Rebadomia emphasized that prompt reporting through the nearest police station or by calling 911 allows law enforcers to respond quickly and increases the chances of apprehending suspects.
“Call 911 first so we can respond immediately and arrest the suspect,” Rebadomia said.
He made the statement following recent holdup incidents reported in the city, noting that delays in reporting can hamper police operations.
Rebadomia cautioned that posting incidents on platforms such as Facebook does not help resolve crimes and may even lead to confusion due to unverified information circulating online.
He also pointed out that underreporting could be one of the reasons behind the apparent decline in robbery cases, as some incidents may not be officially recorded if victims fail to notify authorities.
Rebadomia reiterated his call for the public to prioritize contacting law enforcement before sharing information online.
Drop in theft, robbery
The BCPO has reported a decline in theft and robbery incidents, alongside significant gains in its intensified anti-crime campaigns.
In an interview, Rebadomia said police data based on blotter entries and reports indicate a downward trend in robbery and theft cases in the city.
Rebadomia attributed the improvement to victims who pursued their complaints, leading to the arrest of several suspects now facing charges in court.
He also thanked complainants who formally filed cases, resulting in the issuance and service of more arrest warrants.
The BCPO also cited increased police visibility as a key factor in deterring criminal activities.
Patrols have been intensified, especially amid ongoing economic challenges linked to rising fuel costs, which authorities said could potentially be exploited by individuals with criminal intent.
Meanwhile, the police office reported accomplishments across various anti-crime initiatives in its latest weekly report.
Under its anti-illegal drugs campaign, authorities conducted 16 operations that led to the arrest of 17 individuals.
Seized during the operations were 340.8 grams of suspected shabu valued at P2,339,640, based on standard drug pricing.
Efforts to track down wanted persons also resulted in the arrest of 14 individuals with standing warrants.
In the campaign against illegal gambling, three operations led to the arrest of six individuals, with P2,262 in bet money confiscated.
The drive against loose firearms likewise recorded gains, with 13 firearms surrendered or recovered and deposited.
Police also reported one arrest and the confiscation of one firearm during operations./CJ, WDJ