New Calbayog police chief asks public support to combat crime

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar, Jan. 13 (PNA) -The newly-installed city chief of police here asked the support of residents to fight crime.

Chief Insp. Elmer T. Vergara assumed office on Tuesday in a simple turnover of command held at city police headquarters.

Vergara said that it is a privilege to lead the Calbayog police force, though he admitted that his new assignment is challenging.

“I heard about tagging Calbayog as killbayog, but I don’t believe that. It’s just a matter of words for some people.” Vergara said. “We are here to help the people from all levels, we are not favoring any group considering that we are peacekeepers here,” he added.

This city has been in the limelight for the past months due to the series of killings allegedly perpetrated by private armed groups.

PNP record shows that 43 shooting incidents happened in the city in 2015.

Vergara said that he will reach out to the people of Calbayog and lobby for their support to attain peace in the city. He assured locals that he will perform his functions, duties and responsibilities as head of the city’s police force.

“Please help me, and I will help you. Let’s join hands to solve the criminalities here in Calbayog. Let us help this city,” he added.

Vergara, a native of Cotabato City, was the deputy station commander of Manila Police District’s station 1 and at the same time he is the Smokey Mountain police community precinct commander prior to his new assignment

Meanwhile, former city police chief Supt. Salvador Tagle thanked the locals for extending their support during his stint.

Tagle said that during his leadership, the city was generally peaceful. The local has recorded a total of 284 crime incidents from January to December 2015, which is lower compared to the 436 incidents a year ago.

Tagle will be assigned to the Eastern Visayas police regional office. (PNA)
PGL/SQM/JENNIFER SUMAGANG – ALLEGADO