Baguio cops not callous – Co

BAGUIO CITY (Jan. 29, 2021) – Baguio City policemen are fair and sensible and are not callous in implementing laws and health and safety protocols, Baguio City Police Office Director P Col. Allen Rae Co said.

“We are reasonable.  Naglalakad ka, napagod ka, inalis mo face shield mo, hindi po kami insensitive para hulihin ka agad,” he said.

However, residents should also do their part by cooperating and obeying the laws.

“Naglalakad ka nagutom ka, inalis mo mask mo at kumain ka.  Siyempre huhulihin ka kasi you’re putting yourself and other people at risk.  Pero kung tumabi ka muna, tumalikod sa mga tao saka nagtanggal ng mask at kumain o uminom, hindi ka huhulihin,” Co said.

“Tao rin po kami, kapitbahay nyo, kababayan nyo.  Hindi po kami natutuwa na huli nang huli.  We are doing this tough love for your sake but we are not inhumane,” he added.

Co said among all the places that he had served, it is Baguio that has the most disciplined residents.

“Madaling magpatupad ng batas dito dahil mabilis sumunod ang mga tao kaya bakit naman kakailanganing maging marahas,” he said.

Co said when Mayor Benjamin Magalong ordered the revitalized implementation of protocols which include the wearing of face masks and shields, they first created awareness and exercised leniency and just issued warnings, conducted lectures and even distributed face shields.

As of 10 a.m. of Jan. 29, a total of 1,000 individuals had been warned and 53 had been cited because of the face mask and shield violations.  A total of 661 had been lectured on.

The police had also inspected a total of 1,574 public utility jeepneys and 1,2000 taxi cabs.

Kung tulong-tulong at sama-sama po tayo, malalampasan po natin ang pandemya,” he added. – Aileen P. Refuerzo