Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna dispelled the wrong notion that having a lady mayor may take away the focus on the peace and order situation in the city.
“Napakahalaga po sa akin ng peace and order. Siguro iniisip nila pag babae, di naka-focus ang peace and order. Me areas na dapat tutukan, of course andiyan pa din ang problema sa droga,” Lacuna told the “Balitaan Sa Harbor View” forum hosted by the Manila City Hall Reporters’ Association (MACHRA).
At this point, Lacuna said that while she is glad that drug users are being apprehended, she is urging the Manila Police District (MPD) under Gen. Andre Dizon to go after the source of the illegal drugs, intensify police visibility and focus on rape cases.
“Okay na nakakahuli tayo ng drug users at nakakalungkot na kung sino ang walang kakayanan, siyang nagamit. But we have to go after the source kasi kung ito lang mga users ang matututukan, maliit lang. Pag nakuha ang source, mas madali mawawala ang mga gumagamit,” she said.
The lady mayor also described as “mga krimeng di katanggap-tanggap lalo na para sa akin” rape incidents, most specially those committed against minors, as she said that she has standing orders to give special focus on rape cases.
Lacuna also said she had specified to Dizon the importance of intensified police visibility in crime-prone areas including the university belt area.
“Di lang ‘yung nakatayo o steady na nakikita ang pulis kundi dapat kumikilo, laging naglilibot. Pinatututukan natin ang university belt. Kahilingan ng schools na kung pwede, during time ng pagpasok at paglabas ay me nakaantabay na pulis,” she said.
Lacuna said that so far, she is satisfied with the performance of the MPD specially its efforts in putting up tarpaulins in strategic areas, stating how the citizens can seek police assistance when needed, even as she expressed hope that police desks be put up in all schools too.
She added: “In general, maayos at maganda ang performance ng kapulisan sa lungsod ng Maynila dahul sa pinaigting na police visibility dahil na din sa habilin ni NCRPO Chief BGen. Jonnel Estomo na habang natutulog ang mga tao, dapat sila ay gising.” (Baby Cuevas)
