Report crimes to police not in social media: DCPO

DCPO made this call following alleged robbery incidents in Catalunan Grande and Toril which were not reported in police stations but were posted on Facebook.

Major Maria Teresita Gaspan, spokesman of DCPO told reporters during Wednesday’s AFP-PNP Press corps briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel the alleged robbery incidents posted on Facebook were not actually reported to any police personnel, making it hard for them to trace the veracity of the cases.

Gaspan cited one of the alleged robbery incidents involving a gunman on a motorbike in Catalunan Grande whose plan to rob was foiled after the police responded. 

Other alleged incidents could not be confirmed because no one has formally filed a complaint with the police, she further said.

“We encourage them kung meron talagang nangyari magpa-blotter sila. Mag-report sa police station para ma-validate nato, ma-aksyunan nato, ma-account nato,” Gaspan said.

“Kay kung naa sa social media, dili man nato na matubag kung tinoud ba na or dili unless magpa-blotter sila, mag-report police station kung asa aduna’y jusridiction kung asa man na nahitabo,” she said.

To beef up the security measures in the city, Gaspan said the DCPO revived the Oplan Robbery/ Hold-up, Akyat Bahay and Theft (RAT Tugis).

Oplan RAT Tugis is a city-wide focused operation of the police against identified criminals involved in Robbery/ Hold-up, Akyat Bahay, and Theft incidents.

“Doon sa mga neighbourhoods atsaka mga business establishments na may nangyayari, intensified ‘yong efforts sa pag-gukod aning mga suspek na mga groups or individuals na involved sa kawat or tulis dinhi sa atong siyudad,” she said.

Gaspan , meanwhile, admitted that DCPO recorded a slight increase in focused crime incidents such as theft. However, she said these cases were already filed in court.

She said most of theft incidents happened inside establishments and  houses.

Out of the total crime volume, there are eight theft cases, two robberies, and physical injury.

Two rape cases were also recorded during same period.