BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – Mayor Evelio Leonardia asked city police chief, Col. Thomas Joseph Martir, to tighten security measures and to intensify police visibility at Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) to prevent the incident from happening again.
Leonardia, in a letter sent Martir, requested his office to provide an action plan and suggested constant coordination between the police and the Public Order and Safety Office.
“I am deeply disheartened to hear of this unfortunate incident especially so that our administration has always prided itself to have maintained and effectively promoted the BCGC as a popular destination for tourists and families alike, where people of all ages can enjoy a safe and relaxing atmosphere day and night– apparently, until this tragic incident,” Leonardia was quoted by the Bacolod City Public Information Office as having said in a news release.
The release is printed in full below:
Mayor Evelio Leonardia has asked Police Colonel Thomas Joseph Martir to effect tighter security measures and intensified PNP visibility around the Bacolod City Government Center to avert the occurrence of any crime in the area.
Leonardia wrote Martir, the current director of the Bacolod City Police Office, a letter May 30, a day after a 15-year old resident from Barangay 41was stabbed to death Sunday night by a group of teenagers carrying bladed weapons.
The victim sustained a fatal stab wound. He was rushed to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital but did not survive.
“I am deeply disheartened to hear of this unfortunate incident especially so that our administration has always prided itself to have maintained and effectively promoted the BCGC as a popular destination for tourists and families alike, where people of all ages can enjoy a safe and relaxing atmosphere day and night– apparently, until this tragic incident,” the mayor said.
The mayor, therefore, has asked the BCPO to provide an action plan for tighter security around the BCGC 24/7.
“While we have our POSO personnel on duty on daily basis, we further suggest that regular and constant coordination between them and your office is implemented,” Leonardia told Martir.
Given Martir’s professional expertise, the mayor continued, “we will depend on your guidance and recommendation”.
“I trust that we will never hear of incidents like this at the BCGC,” Leonardia added.
