So there is an increase in crimes all over Davao City since July this year? That is according to Mayor Baste Duterte using as basis the crime figures gathered by the Davao City Peace and Order Council (DCPOC).
Reading between the lines of the Mayor’s statement it is clear that he could not be attributing the crime hike to other reason but the series of command changes at the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and the relief of several police station commanders and other uniformed police personnel.
Mayor Baste in fact, told the Davao public to seek explanation of the phenomenon to the current city police director Col. Hansel Marantan and to Regional Police head Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III. But it is no secret that the city mayor has no love lost with the two police officials whose assignment in Davao the mayor claimed to have not been consulted.
Of course we can understand the Mayor’s reaction on the crime increase. First there was that controversial claim by the PRO XI Director Torre that the number of crimes in the city’s police stations’ blotters has been “doctored” to make it appear that there were only few crimes then, making the city as one of the country’s most peaceful.
It was the same “discovery” that was cited as immediate reason for the relief of some of the policemen assigned in the respective stations.
But then again, what is the base figure in the determination of the steep rise in crimes as gathered by the DCPOC? Was it the “doctored” figure? Or was it the adjusted one after Brig. Gen. Torre supposedly discovered the manipulation? If it was the latter, then it is one unmistakable sign that the DCPO leadership’s commitment to the public to further enhance its anti-criminality campaign is failing.
Colonel Marantan therefore, has to revisit his current strategy in fighting crimes. He must take a closer look at how much cooperation he is getting from the field, whether the support expected comes from his men out there or from the general public.
But there is one thing certain though. Gauged from the statement of Mayor Baste it is clear that the city police leadership in Colonel Marantan is not getting the support from the local government. No, it is not because the city mayor is not willing to help his constituents protected from persons with criminal intentions.
Rather, to our mind, it is because the city leadership does not have the level of trust in the current city police director and his immediate superior Brig. Gen. Torre III.
Now, should Davaoenos be surprised if one day they’ll wake up with the well-treasured tag of “one of the most livable cities” in the Philippines will be lost?
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The Philippine National Police (PNP) is already stepping up its preparations for the upcoming mid-term elections in May of 2025. This move is in compliance with the order of PNP Director General Rommel Francisco Marbil in the light of the schedule of the filing of certificates of candidacy next month.
Marbil also issued a stern warning to the police officers not to allow themselves to be used by political figures. Instead they have to adhere to the PNP’s core functions which are: intelligence gathering, investigation, operations and community relations. After all,these core functions are the basic requirements to the realization of the PNP’s commitment to maintaining peace and order during the election period.
We are just wondering whether General Marbil’s credibility will hold sway to Davaoenos. It is with certainty that the perception of most Davaoenos on the recent police operations in Davao City against then fugitive Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, and the controversial series of reliefs of the city police director and several station commanders, were all with political undertones.
Yes, with such acts by the national police leadership, suspicion that politics and politicians were behind it because it is common knowledge that the rift between former President Rodrigo Duterte and incumbent Malacanang tenant President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.is now getting to its bitterest level.
And who appointed General Marbil to his position as PNP chief? Who assigned Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III in Southern Mindanao with headquarters in Davao City?
In other words, Davaoenos could not be faulted if they will have serious doubts as to the moral authority of General Marbil in warning the police, specifically those assigned in Davao City, not to have themselves used by politicians.
