More police stations in Cebu City eyed

Local

THE Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has identified a need for 20 police stations to adequately serve the city’s expanding population.

Currently, however, the CCPO is limited to operating 11 stations due to constraints in resources and personnel.

Lt. Col. Maria Theresa Macatangay, the CCPO’s deputy director for operations, announced plans to upgrade the existing Police Community Precincts (PCPs) in Barangays Adlaon and Malubog into fully functional police stations.

She made this statement during the CCPO’s "Isumbong Mo Kay CD, Bantay Mo" program of City Government's Sugboanon Channel on Friday, Oct. 4.

Macatangay emphasized that transforming these PCPs into full stations would allow for additional personnel and resources, enhancing their capability to serve the community effectively.

“They can function independently, providing a distinct identity to each station in the future,” she said.

The CCPO currently operates stations in several locations, including Parian, Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City Pier 1, Mabolo, Carbon Public Market, Sawang Calero, Poblacion Pardo, Talamban, Guadalupe, Labangon, and Mambaling.

The PCPs in Adlaon and Malubog have historically supported existing stations but are now set to evolve.

Adlaon’s PCP oversees its barangay and nearby areas that were previously under the jurisdiction of the Talamban and Mabolo stations, including Tabonan, Paril, Taptap, Guba, Lusaran, Cambinocot, and Tagbao.

Similarly, Malubog’s PCP extends its services to surrounding barangays previously served by the Pardo and Mabolo stations, covering Sudlon 1 and 2, Sinsin, Buot-Taop, Bonbon, Babag, Busay, Sirao, and Pung-ol.

In addition to the developments in Adlaon and Malubog, the CCPO maintains a City Mobile Force Company detachment in Barangays Pung-ol and Sudlon 2.

Macatangay also noted that under the leadership of Col. Antonietto Cañete, there are plans to open more police stations in the city's mountain barangays, as the Philippine National Police (PNP) regulations advocate for 20 stations to ensure adequate law enforcement coverage.

She expressed optimism about the potential of expanding the police presence in areas where it is most needed, contingent on continued support from the city government.

“We hope to create reasonable coverage clusters for the barangays, each with its own dedicated station,” she said, though she acknowledged the lengthy process involved in establishing new facilities.

While the establishment of more police stations is expected to take time, Macatangay reassured the public that tangible efforts are already underway.

“These projects are not mere promises; they will have visible results that our constituents can experience,” she added.

Macatangay commended the city government for its support in combating crime through the provision of additional logistics, including patrol cars and equipment.

The CCPO is also collaborating with the City Council to facilitate the donation of land for a new police station at Carbon Public Market.

“We are eagerly anticipating progress from the City Council in passing a resolution for the land allocation for Station 5,” she said.(MyTVCebu)