City Government to Bolster Anti-Crime Strategies
A Community-Driven Anti-Crime Initiative in Cebu City: Oplan Pakigsandurot
In the wake of an unfortunate incident that took place on August 9, 2025, in Sitio Mahayahay 1, Barangay Calamba, the Cebu City Government has intensified its efforts to promote safety and peace through the community-based anti-crime campaign, Oplan Pakigsandurot.
The incident, involving 12 minors assaulting a 21-year-old man with a disability, has underscored the need for such a campaign. Councilor Paul Labra II, emphasizing the urgency of the situation, stated that the incident highlights the importance of community involvement in maintaining peace and order.
Oplan Pakigsandurot aims to mobilize residents from all sectors of the community to work alongside active and retired police officers in their respective barangays. The program seeks to create a visible presence of community patrols, enhancing the sense of security among residents and acting as a deterrent to crime.
The program has already been piloted in some areas under different police stations and aims to integrate more barangays. City Hall plans to provide resources to help mobilize patrols, including vehicles, and provisions like uniforms for community volunteers.
In addition, Labra will propose funding for the program in next year's annual budget. He plans to work with the City Council to strengthen the implementation of existing ordinances, such as curfew and anti-loitering laws, as preventive measures.
The initiative also aims to address specific needs of active night workers, especially in barangays near business hubs to ensure their safety during night shift hours. The program intends to organize residents into sectors, along with sitio leaders and chapel presidents, to establish a network of local watch groups.
A meeting was held after the incident involving the Sawang Calero Police Station, the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS), Calamba barangay officials, the victim, the 12 minors, and their parents. Officials discussed intervention programs for the minors involved in the attack and the possibility of filing charges.
Police Region 7 Director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan emphasized that parents have a huge responsibility to guide their children to prevent them from committing crimes. Maranan's sentiments were echoed by Labra, who stressed the need for community involvement in addressing crime.
In conclusion, Oplan Pakigsandurot is a collaborative, community-driven anti-crime initiative that hinges on the active participation and cooperation of residents, barangay officials, and police to maintain peace and order across Cebu City. The program underscores the importance of shared responsibility in preventing and addressing crime, especially in high-activity areas such as near the IT business hub.
- The Cebu City Government, in light of the recent crime incident, is focusing on politics and general-news matters, seeking to mitigate crime by strengthening community involvement through the anti-crime initiative Oplan Pakigsandurot.
- To combat crime in Cebu City, Oplan Pakigsandurot will activate patrols consisting of residents, active and retired police officers, as well as various community leaders, aiming to establish a visible presence in each barangay for increased security.
- Pertaining to crime-and-justice concerns, policy changes will be proposed, including funding for Oplan Pakigsandurot in the next annual budget and the reinforcement of existing ordinances like curfew and anti-loitering laws to prevent further crimes, particularly in high-activity areas like IT business hubs.
