BUTUAN CITY–Law enforcers should employ a positive approach in addressing the problem of gang violence in their areas as this may prove to be more fruitful and beneficial, the Caraga region’s top police official said.
Police Regional Office 13 (Caraga) Director Chief Supt. Noli A. Romana on Friday advised the region’s chiefs of police to combine developmental and coercive approaches in their strategies to combat gang violence.
Romana said these may include programs that instill a sense of community responsibility and commitment among the youths.
As a deterrent, he said police units may also organize a tour among underage gang members to prisons or detention facilities “in order to open up their minds on the realities of the consequences of violating the law.”
Responding to Romana’s call, Police Senior Supt. Albert Magno, acting Butuan City Police director, said they are now implementing the “GangNam Style” (from the Cebuano word ‘Gang Na Maayo’ or ‘Good Gang’) strategy, a non-traditional approach to tackle the city’s gang problem.
According to Magno, instead of pursuing gang members and creating the impression that police are out to hunt, arrest or to place them under detention, law enforcers will project a positive image that they are “friends” who are reaching out to help them.
Magno said that among the measures being adopted is to separate the apprehended gang members and mix them with other groups to avoid rivalry. Community-based “friendly games” are also being organized among youths to instill a sense of camaraderie among them.
For two weeks since implementing the new strategies, no gang-related incident has been reported here in the city, he said.
Still, Magno said the problem brought about by violent gangs should not be underestimated, pointing out that recent incidents of gang riots and other gang-initiated activities in the city have already created panic among residents, and have resulted in property damage, injuries and even deaths. (Noel Najarro/PNA)
