Has Cebu turned into a ‘criminal city’?

CEBU Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña himself has branded the city he leads as a “criminal city” following the series of killings involving local government, drug agency, and police officers. Mr. Osmeña told reporters that he agrees with the description made by one of his critics, Councilor Pastor M. Alcover Jr. “They say Cebu is safe. It’s not safe. I told you that already. It’s not safe. Something is wrong. Something is out of place,” Osmeña said. Mr. Alcover earlier expressed his frustration over the spate of unresolved killings and urged the mayor to do something to ensure peace and order in the city. “Cebu City is no longer Queen City of the South. It’s now a criminal city…How can we attract investors? I challenge the mayor to do something to preserve peace and order in the city,” Mr. Alcover told local newspaper The Freeman. Mr. Osmeña, meanwhile, said he will give Cebu City Police Office Director Royina Garma a chance to solve all the killings, especially the alleged involvement of police officers. “My priority, I will not compromise the safety of the city. Right now, let me just read the cards before I make a move. My move right now is let (Ms.) Garma answer for all of these,” he said. — The Freeman