GENERAL SANTOS CITY Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera has ordered the city police and barangay officials to conduct joint nightly patrols amid a recent rise in reports of crimes such as carjacking. In a meeting earlier this week, Mr. Rivera also announced that a P13 million monthly fund has been allocated for distribution to the 26 villages to beef up security measures. Barangay officials are required to present their peace and order plan to have access to the fund. “We are calling on the public and the residents of General Santos City to help in keeping our city safe by providing us with critical information as well as cooperation in our law enforcement efforts,” Mr. Rivera said in a statement. Also this week, the local government distributed eight new patrol cars and several firearms to the police force. Meanwhile, Col. Raul S. Supiter, head of the GenSan City police, warned residents against “unverified news reports that have gone viral in social media lately.” Mr. Supiter cited postings on “alleged kidnapping of children and other reports that have not been validated or reports that have been blown out of proportion.” He said the local police are working double time to resolve confirmed crimes, noting that they have already made two arrests in the series of carjacking incidents and filed charges against the gunman and mastermind behind the killing of a barangay chairman.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR