By Cindy Ferrer/PNA
ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) is deploying 300-400 personnel around the city to focus into deterring lawless activities usually associated with the Christmas season.
ICPO director Senior Supt. Martin Defensor Jr., in an interview Saturday, said these personnel will be deployed starting next week, especially in areas of convergence like malls, markets and other business establishments and commercial districts here.
He said the public will definitely visit these establishments, especially now that it is Christmas time and the criminals are also aware of this, thus crimes are expected to be rampant.
“We want to ensure that the public and their personal belongings are safe,” he said. The personnel will be deployed 24/7 to ensure security.
Defensor said they have already identified about 15-20 wanted persons connected to petty crimes like robbery and theft in the city.
The pictures of these individuals were even distributed to the different establishments so they could be easily identified, he added.
However, he did not confirm the concern circulating on social media that there are crime groups, which are now in the city to rob establishments this Christmas. “We do not have any intelligence report on that,” he said.
Meanwhile, Defensor reminded the public to guard their belongings when they are in malls and markets.
“If they are buying something in an area where there are a lot of people, they should avoid wearing their jewelry in order not to tempt opportunists and also as much as possible, they should have someone who will accompany them in bringing the things they bought,” he said.
Iloilo City, being a highly-urbanized city, is usually flocked by people even from nearby towns during Christmas season because of the various big establishments here.
