Rama Threatens to Revoke Business Permit of Courier Hit by Series of Robberies

(PNA) — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has threatened to temporarily revoke the permits granted to all of the branches in Cebu City of LBC which was hit by a series of robberies.

Rama said the firm refused to cooperate with the city government and has not implemented the necessary security measures.

“They should be taking my statements seriously because I’m really bound to have their business permit restudied for temporary suspension of their business until they comply with security measures,” he said.

Rama said he might exercise his police power, but this has to be studied carefully by the City Legal Office (CLO).

Rama said the firm seems to take advantage of free media coverage and publicity brought about by the spate of robberies of their branches.

“Is that robbery for purposes of publicity? Is that robbery to be just taken by them lightly and they can’t afford to invest in security? They think by doing so, they are also promoting LBC? It’s unfair promotion at the expense of the city,” he said.

The latest LBC branch in Punta Princesa, Cebu City which was hit by robbers lost Php5,000.

Rama said the firm got a wider media mileage for the robbery because its more expensive to advertise.

In Cebu City alone this year, LBC branches in Barangays Punta Princesa, Kamputhaw and Taboan already lost over Php57,000 to robbers.

Police noted that while these outlets have closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, they were either busted or switched off when the robberies occurred.

The city’s CCTV Ordinance requires all business establishments and residential subdivisions and condominiums operating in Cebu City to install surveillance cameras.

These outlets also do not have security guards. (PNA) JBP/EB