ILOILO City – “We should not give opportunities to snatchers and pickpockets.”
This was Senior Superintendent Martin Defensor’s advice to policemen and the public as he reminded them to be security-conscious this holiday season.
Defensor is the director of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO).
On Dec. 11 a snatcher was arrested in Barangay General Hughes-Montes, City Proper. He tried to shanghai a woman’s cellular phone.
“The arrest was a result of our police deployment on city streets,” said Defensor.
The suspect, Edralin Sustua, was detained at Police Station 1.
Theft, and specifically, snatching, is the most prevalent petty street crime during the holiday season, according to Defensor.
People should be mindful of their valuables while shopping, said Defensor.
The ICPO placed all its six police stations – in the districts of Jaro, Mandurriao, Arevalo, Molo, City Proper, and La Paz – on full alert.
“All places frequented by people have been posted with policemen,” said Defensor.
The ICPO has mobilized between 300 to 400 personnel around the city to deter lawlessness associated with the Christmas season.
They are securing commercial districts, public markets, plazas and other areas where people converge.
Criminals usually take advantage of unsuspecting people this time of the year, said Defensor.
Policemen are rendering 24/7 security.
The ICPO has already identified between 15 to 20 persons connected to petty crimes like robbery and theft. So they could be easily identified, photos of these individuals were distributed to various establishments./PN
