CEBU CITY – The spate of shooting incidents does not reflect the kind of peace and order situation here, an official of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) said on Monday, Nov. 25.
Police Lt. Col. Maria Theresa Macatangay, CCPO deputy city director for operations, said this city remains safe despite the four shooting incidents here in a span of one week.
“I don’t see that these isolated incidents will in any way affect the peace and order here in Cebu City,” said Macatangay.
Personal grudges were said to be the motives of the series of gun violence, said Macatangay.
The latest shooting incident happened on Sunday night, Nov. 24, in Sitio Wakwak, Barangay Sawang Calero.
The victim was identified as Michael Ilustrisimo.
Police said the victim was standing on a road when two armed men arrived and shot him twice.
The gunmen fled and the victim was taken to a hospital.
Although the spate of shooting incidents is considered as isolated incidents, police will intensify police visibility to deter crimes, Macatangay said.
Macatangay added that they will also implement security adjustments in preparation for the holidays.
She said that several public events will be held as the Christmas season approaches.
Macatangay said since it is also the time when workers get their bonuses, police will beef up security in areas where banks, malls, or automated teller machines are located.
“So we will be putting heavy attention on areas where there are financial transactions that will be happening. We will also be deploying personnel in terminals as we expect an influx of passengers traveling to their provinces,” said Macatangay.
The CCPO is also gearing up for the start of dawn masses or Simbang Gabi on Dec. 16, Macatangay said.
They will coordinate with the Bureau of Fire Protection and Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to help secure major churches here.