Office of the President to Give Patrol Cars, Firearms to Cebu City Police

Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Diño said Monday the Office of the President is set to give 15 patrol cars and firearms to the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).

Diño said the documents for the vehicles and the firearms were already being processed.

He said President Rodrigo Duterte decided to give patrol vehicles and guns to the city police after Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña withdrew his support for the local police.

Diño, who was guest speaker at the 115th anniversary of the Philippine National Police held in Camp Sergio Osmeña, Cebu City on Monday, said the President has also ordered “more incentives” for the CCPO personnel.

Osmeña on July 14 withdrew his support for the city’s police after Sr. Supt. Benjamin Santos was relieved as CCPO director.

Osmeña stopped the turnover of new patrol vehicles to the CCPO, ordered the recall of city-owned firearms issued to the city police, and cut off their financial aid.

Diño said the President has been monitoring the plight of the city police force and this was his swift response to the issue.

“You are worried because more than 50 firearms were withdrawn. Worry no more as President Duterte has instructed to give Cebu City’s police force a number of firearms,” Diño said. (PNA)
CVL/EB/EDS