Online folks hit Malaybalay police chief, city government for “lack of security”

BUKIDNON NEWS | MALAYBALAY CITY | CRIME – First it was Joseph Rodrigo de Villa who was killed last March 24, 2010. Fast forward a few months later and after several crimes (not only within city limits but at the Simaya-Bangcud-Aglayan areas, too), a big piece of news exploded and shocked the residents of Malaybalay City. Jay Jasper Sto. Nino or Jay Santoninio (also known as “Blue Jay Crawford” in a popular social networking site), a young and promising teacher assigned at the BAIT Department of Bukidnon State University, was stabbed 12 times, robbed and left to die.

Suddenly, a different kind of fear and worry ran through the City of Malaybalay. And only two questions plagued them: “Where is the OLD MALAYBALAY? And will Malaybalay residents ever feel safe again?”

Santoninio, who died a gruesome and senseless death last November 19, 2010, was a well-loved teacher and friend. A Facebook Page called “Justice For Sir Jay” was even set up recently.

Klook.com

Now, the public, through the Internet, is drumming up not only the City Government of Malaybalay but most importantly, the Chief of Police, Malaybalay Police Superintendent Erwin Meneses.

A BukidnonOnline.com reader, Ariam, alerted us with this note from Janet Molina, a Malaybalay City native:

ATTENTION Chief of Police, Malaybalay City

To Chief Erwin Meneses,

Dear Sir,

I am a concerned citizen, tubong Malaybalay. Grew up with some of those people whose lives were lost due to some senseless killings.Experienced not so long ago, death of a relative, whose demise is still unsolved until now.I can emphatize with the family and friends of Jasper; what injustice they are feeling now, the anger, someone to blame and to put that criminal behind bars so justice will be served. I felt those too. How much more the father, mother and siblings of Jasper? Im sure its magnified 100times.

Malaybalay City for sure is NOT SAFE anymore. Should we put the blame on it becoming a city with its attendant surge of population growth, along with it, the crimes becoming more heinous? Should we blame the parents, the community, the victims themselves? WHO IS ACCOUNTABLE for these crimes?

Even I, myself cant answer that question. But one thing for sure, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE to stop these crimes and to bring to justice those criminals? My answer, IT’S YOU, being the Chief of Police.

Please tell us, how many policemen are employed under the City of Malaybalay and what is the ideal number of policemen in a city with a population of 144,065 as of 2007? Correct me if I’m wrong, you only have 60plus policemen when in fact, the standard police-to-population ratio in the Phils. is at least 1 police/500 individuals (according to RA 6975 known as the Dept of Local Govt Act of 1990). You need at least 288 policemen in the city!

How can 60plus policemen be visible in the City, so those bad elements of the society will have second thoughts of committing crimes upon seeing those impressive uniforms?? Physically impossible! How can you effectively serve Malaybalay City with only this handful of staff?

Do tell us, from the time Malaybalay has become a city, how many crimes were reported. How many were solved and remains unsolved until this day? Which comes to mind the security of Kaamulan Park. It has become a “killing field” not safe anymore even at day time.As I was growing up, Kaamulan Park is where we proudly bring our visitors. Now, its sad to say, it has become a “killing field”! WHAT A WASTE and WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MAKE IT SAFE AGAIN??

So, Mr Chief Policeman, sir, can you please update the people of the City of Malaybalay the questions I raised? It is our basic right to feel secure and safe to live in a place where we grew up, make our living, raise our families and paid our taxes. May I suggest you make a website for Malaybalay City PNP where we can follow the cases and lodge our complaints?

To the family of Jasper, my deepest sympathy.

To those who are concerned enough to express their opinions, let us not rest until justice is served. Think of ways which you can protect your children, families and community.

Let us demand that more qualified policemen will be hired for our City.WE ARE WITHIN OUR RIGHTS.

Taken from the letter forwarded to us, who grew up in Malaybalay.

A video has also been created to constantly remind the government and the local police of their responsibility to protect the residents of Bukidnon’s capital:

As of recent, the local police claims that their investigation is allegedly 80 percent done. No suspects have been named as of yet.

BukidnonOnline.com will try to contact Malaybalay City Mayor Ignacio Zubiri and see what he has to say.

WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT ALL OF THESE?

Use Facebook To Comment

14 thoughts on “Online folks hit Malaybalay police chief, city government for “lack of security””

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Copy Protected by Tech Tips's CopyProtect Wordpress Blogs.