Kidapawan City has new police chief

KIDAPAWAN CITY -A new city police director here assumed post on Tuesday, a day after the city mayor here expressed his frustration over the low crime efficiency rate of the local police. City Mayor Joseph Evangelista, in an interview, admitted that he called up the provincial police director of North Cotabato to ask for a new chief of police. The city police, since October, is manned by only a senior inspector after Superintendent Gilberto Tuzon, former city police chief,underwent schooling at the regional police headquarters in General Santos City. Immediately, Sr. Supt. Danny Peralta of the Cotabato Provincial Police Office (CPPO), assigned Superintendent Franklin Anito to lead the Kidapawan City PNP. Anito was former chief of police of Carmen town, also in North Cotabato. Evangelista said the performance of the city PNP under a previous leadership was ‘very disappointing.’ We have high incidence of theft and robbery cases during the third quarter of the year and other index crimes.We found out they have low crime efficiency rate,” said the mayor. Since June until October, police recorded 214 robbery and theft cases – about 10 to 15 percent increase as compared to the second quarter. The city police, also during the quarter, recorded 196 victims of physical injuries 15 carnapping incidents 12 murders and six rape cases. During the recent City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) meeting, acting COP Inspector Zean Paul Cubil admitted they have difficulties in running after criminals or responding to crimes. He cited as reason the lack of vehicles. Of the four vehicles, only one is in good working condition, he said.Such vehicle was the one given by the city government in 2013 to pursue the criminals. The other three, including the vehicle provided for by the police headquarters, have mechanical defects and need servicing and major repair. On Tuesday, Supt. Anito assumed the post. After the turnover, Anito received some cash from Mayor Evangelista as an initial fund for their operations. Evangelista said the city government has allotted some P1.6 million for fuel allowances of the police officers and their operatives for 2014.This, he said, was aside from the funds he allotted for rice allowances, office supplies, and other needs of the local police. The funds, however, were already drained since August this year, according to the mayor.Even then, he said, he ordered release of some P300,000 as additional funds for the PNP, just to ensure its anti-crimeoperations continue.