By: Gay B. Gaspay

Tacloban City – Tacloban City Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez calls on Taclobanons to be keen on any sounds, shouts, cry, alarming commotions that they hear and observe in their respective barangay. According to Mayor Romualdez, a vigilant Taclobanon can help prevent crime.

“Makialam tayo, pag nakarinig ng sigaw, lumabas at hanapin kung saan galing ang sigaw na ‘yon” (we should attend immediately to cries for help; look where it came from), “Lets help one another” were some of the few words of concern uttered by Mayor Alfred Romualdez during a press conference held August 23 at the CMO Board Room, in connection with the rape-slay done to a solo mother of two, Annaliza Ampatin who was brutally killed last Friday in Barangay 81 Marasbaras.

Had the people around, where the incident happened cared enough to look into where the shout and cries for help came from, the rape slay incident won’t have happened that early hour of August 20. “Hindi pinansin ang sigaw dahil nasanay na ang mga tao ng maiingay at sigawan at akala nila normal lang yon, mali!” (The people didn’t bother since they are used to noise and shouts, they think it was just an ordinary day to day happening, its wrong!), the city mayor further said.

He cited the need to be vigilant; he intimated that in other first world countries, houses are not fenced but residents report new or unfamiliar faces in their community to authorities. They come forward to ask brazenly what these people are doing in their places. Houses are equipped with alarm systems.

The city mayor thanked some concerned citizens who were instrumental in the capture of the alleged suspects, and aided the police authorities in solving the case. Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) under the leadership of Police Director Dimandal were likewise commended for a job well done, apprehending the suspects less than 24 hours after the body was discovered and presenting them to the City Prosecutor’s Office afterwards.

The father of the city likewise extended his advise to teenagers and Tacloban residents as well, especially women, to refrain from dark places alone. He also advised them to shout for help or to report any threat or unlikely move or action from anyone. Bystanders are encouraged to come out in the open to report crimes committed.

The Women Shelter, a project of First Lady Councilor Cristina G. Romualdez, which the city government has built, is a refuge to abused victims, and a place for anyone whose life is under threat, he said. Feel free to go and ask help at the Women’s Shelter, the city chief executive said

Mayor Alfred Romualdez reiterated his call on all Taclobanons to be vigilant and concerned at all times to avoid further incidents. He also called on the media to help the City Government of Tacloban in its awareness campaign against crime and abuse.

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