Baguio raises reward for drug pusher, crimes informant
BAGUIO CITY -- The city government has raised the amount of reward for anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest of any drug pusher or anyone who has committed heinous crime in the city, including those who are in the list of 10 most wanted criminals here.
The newly amended and approved city ordinance -- Ordinance 15-2014 -- authored by Councilor Jose Molintas, raises the reward from P2000 to P5000 the reward for informants.
The reward shall be given upon the certification by the city director of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) that the said informer has given information that led to the apprehension and prosecution of the accused.
“By experience, the informants are not willing to publicly identify themselves and testify in court after giving information leading to the arrest of any person involved in the commission of heinous crimes for fear of reprisal or retaliation from the accused or from his relatives or subordinates,” Molintas stated.
Under the Ordinance 15-2014, the informant shall be given an additional amount of P10,000 upon conviction of the accused through their (informant’s) testimony. This provision is not part of the proposed amendment.
Pursuant to Section 1 of the same ordinance, P150,000 from the annual budget of the city government is appropriated to serve as a fund for rewards to informants who come forward with information about drug pushers and other ‘authors of heinous crimes committed in the city.’ This provision is also not included in the proposed amendment.
In its explanatory note, Ordinance 15-2014 recognized that the problem of drug addiction ‘has reached epidemic proportions.’
“Unless the city takes positive measures to ensure the participation of the constituency, efforts toward the solution of the pressing problem will prove futile,” it stated.
The ordinance has been transmitted to the City Mayor’s office for signature.