Quick work on Ceneco case

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Let us give credit where it is due. After several years of tolerating police leadership in the city that seemed to be content to mark time until their transfers, or, luckily for them, promotions, we have to acknowledge that Bacolod City now has a police group that is more dedicated and “in touch” with other agencies involved in the solution of crimes and identifying their perpetrators.

Because we saw action in the recent robbery case at the Central Negros Electric Cooperative, where obviously professional criminals had gotten away with P3.6 million of the collection about to be taken to the bank for deposit, we realize that we have reason to hope that we might see faster solutions to crimes committed in the city.

The gang that staged the Ceneco heist was clearly skilled in their craft, as was illustrated in their efficiency and speed in entering the building, dealing with both security staff and personnel, grabbing the money, and getting away.

The news shocked the entire city. And even the province, as it revealed a vulnerability that we had not imagined. Thanks, however, to adept police inter-linking work, the Bacolod City Police Office already had leads within hours, and on Monday, media was furnished with vital information about the suspects, and even their pictures, and the identities of two of them.

Perhaps there is a little hope of recovering the money robbed from CENECO, but there is, indeed, a strong chance that the culprits could be located, charged, and be made to pay their debts to society. Because it was not only in Bacolod that the group, identified to be based in Mindanao, had staged their operations. Other provinces had also been victimized, and, for sure, the police there will also be interested in working for their arrest.

In the meantime, let us congratulate our police, and assure them of our support so long as they show us that we can rely on them for the protection of our lives and properties.*