New police chief vows to curb violence in Calbayog

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar, March 20 (PNA) -- The newly installed city police chief here has promised to improve the peace and order situation in the region’s oldest city.

Supt. Mateo Macale acknowledged in an interview on Monday that his new assignment is the biggest challenge in his police service since the area is known for violence allegedly perpetuated by Private Armed Groups (PAGs).

He officially assumed office last March 16. Prior to his new assignment, he served as director for administration of the Tacloban Police office.

“Being the new Calbayog City chief of police is a great challenge, but I am confident that with the help of everyone, we can make things happen and introduce breakthroughs for the local police and for the people here,” Macale said.

Police have recorded at least 13 shooting incidents in the city since January, victimizing 19 people. 

“The fact that I was given the chance to serve here, the officials of our police in the region have trust and confidence that I have competence to lead the Calbayog police force,” he added. 

Macale will meet with officials of various government offices, village officials and other sectors in the city to build rapport and ask them to support the local police. 

He will also meet with members of a special task force formed to dismantle Samar’s private armed groups. 

“The PNP is here to perform the mandate of the law. We are not siding with anybody. Whoever you are, whatever your affiliation is, we need you, we need your support,” Macale said. 

Meanwhile, Calbayog City Mayor Ronaldo Aquino challenged the police official to end the killings in the city. He recalled that since he assumed as the city’s chief executive in 2011, he already worked with 15 chiefs of police. 

Aquino said that despite the efforts of the local police and with augmentation from the regional and provincial police offices, violence persists in the city. 

“This is a big challenge to the newly installed chief of police,” he said. 

Calbayog, which became a city in 1948, is a first-class city in Samar province with a population of 183,851. It lies along the coastal region of the province, stretching about 97 km. from the northern tip of the island and 290 km. from southern boundaries. It is the third largest city in terms of land and water areas in the Philippines.(PNA)
SQM/JENNIFER S. ALLEGADO/EGR