Mayor apologizes for high-profile incidents during long weekend

CEBU CITY (Nov. 28, 2023) – Mayor Mike Rama wants the city and police to revive previous programs that deter criminality. 

Rama told a press conference at noon today that he is deeply concerned with the recent string of crimes in the city.

He cited the recent killing of Police Corporal Ryan Baculi in Inayawan on Nov. 15, the robbery at Oro Sugbo Pawhshop last Nov. 25, and the alleged burglary at the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) office yesterday, Nov. 27.

Mayor Mike Rama (left) speaks in a presscon via Zoom from Australia with his son, Mikel Rama.
| 📷 Screengrab from live cast

Rama said he ordered the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) during a virtual command conference Sunday morning to solve the three cases as soon as possible in order to restore the public’s confidence.

“They have to work more, more, more, so that level of confidence will be fully restored,” he said.

He added that he compelled the police for the immediate arrest of those involved. 

“Dili lang unta nga sige nalang tag hot pursuit (operation). Madugay, ma-hot cake ta ana. Kinahanglan pursuit with conclusion,” the mayor said.

Presscon. City officials join Mayor Rama in today’s press conference. They include (from foreground) city administrator Collin Rosell, budget officer Jerone Castillo, Peace and Order Program executive director Pastor Alcover II, Civil Security Unit head Chuck Canete, CCENRO acting head Reymarr Hijarra, and Gubat sa Baha chief implementer Melquiades Feliciano. 📷 PIO / Ruel Rosello

‘No excuses‘

Rama apologized to the city’s constituents over the spate of incidents. “I take full responsibility for all of this. The buck stops at my office. No excuses,” he said.

Rama said he wants to coordinate with the local businesses and follow them up on their compliance to City Ordinance 2381, which mandates commercial establishments to put up their CCTV cameras.

Rama also wants to put up a command center at City Hall in order to monitor strategic areas in the city. 

He also called on establishments to boost their security capabilities especially that criminal elements are expected to take advantage of the Christmas, New Year and Sinulog season.

I take full responsibility for all of this. The buck stops at my office. No excuses,

Mayor Mike Rama

Rama added that he also wants to revive the city’s “Oplan Universe,” a series of dragnet operations initiated by the local police to arrest small and medium-scale criminals who are expected to operate during major seasons of the year. 

“This matter should be back. Because katong nahitabo sa Colon, pagkatoytoy. Asa naman ang Oplan Universe ug asa naman ang CCTVs?” Rama added.

He also emphasized the need for more force multipliers to help the local police in its anti-criminality campaign.

CCPO personnel conduct a hostage-taking simulation in 2016 as part of its implementation of Oplan Universe. 📷 TV Patrol Central Visayas FB page

Burglary at CCENRO 

Meanwhile, Rama has also tasked Ret. Gen. Melquiades Feliciano and city administrator Collin Rosell to work side by side with the local police in investigating the alleged burglary at the CCENRO. 

The mayor said this is not the first time that burglars entered a City Hall office, but he refuses to conclude about the burglary pending the result of the police’s investigation. | PPRMN / jkv

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