Davao City Police Office director Police Senior Superintendent Alexander Tagum presents the proposal to expand the DCPO during the regular session of the City Council on Tuesday, February 6 at the Sangguniang Panglungsod (Robby Joy D. Salveron/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Local officials here are supporting Davao City Police Office’s (DCPO) request for additional police officers and stations, with security threats in the President’s hometown at bay.
According to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, the request is needed “because the city is really big and the population of Davao City – residents and tourists – are increasing plus the fact that this is where the President lives.”
Duterte-Carpio made this statement on February 5, following DCPO’s proposal of an expansion, which was also backed by its director, Senior Superintendent Alexander Tagum. He said more police stations and cops are needed to beef up their security plans.
Last week, the City Council approved a resolution endorsing the request to the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) national headquarters.
Tagum was invited at the February 6, where he said the city currently has a 1:864 police to population ratio, a big disparity compared to Quezon City at 1:596 ratio and Manila at 1:364. These two cities, he pointed out, are even smaller compared to Duterte’s hometown.
In their proposal, DCPO eyes to hire 1,700 cops to decrease the city’s current ratio to one policeman per 500 people and put up four more police stations to “cover the growing demands of an expanding community and the local population” here.
The proposed expansion also includes the reclassification of seven precincts to class A that will enable Police Superintendents to head the stations instead of current Chief Inspector.
Tagum said he also requested to add two platoons to the City Mobile Force Companies to expand police operations in hinterland areas and counter the encroachment of criminals and terrorist within the city of Davao.
With the City Council’s nod, Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta, chairperson of the Committee on Peace and Order and proponent of the resolution moved to expedite the process so as to send the endorsement immediately.
Tagum said the City Council will be the one to endorse the resolution to NAPOLCOM and PNP national headquarters.
“Upon the approval of the NAPOLCOM then that’s the time it will be implemented,” he said.
Duterte-Carpio said she hopes that the expansion would be realized before the year ends but Tagum said this might take effect by the year 2020, which entails the training of the additional police personnel, construction of the stations and budgetary support needed. (davaotoday.com)
