The Municipality of Jagna, a bustling port town in the eastern coast of Bohol, has taken steps to combat crime and ensure peace and order in its jurisdiction.
In a recent move, Mayor Joseph Rañola called for an urgent and special joint meeting of the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) and Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council at his office to find an immediate solution to the series of bad incidents of robbery and “bodol-bodol” (a scam involving fake money or jewelry) in the town. These incidents were reported to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and were circulating on social media.
Vice Mayor Teofisto Pagar Jr. presided over the meeting, where PMaj. Marcus Lopez reported two cases to the council. He encouraged the body to report any such cases to the PNP for blotter.
In the meeting, several interventions were identified by the body to address the problem, including:
1. Upgrading the capabilities of the PNP by acquiring additional units of motorcycles. Motorcycles are fuel-efficient, have low maintenance costs, and are well-maneuverable, which makes them excellent transport units for law enforcement in any congested area. Their high acceleration response capabilities allow law enforcement personnel to perform their duties without hindrance caused by traffic. Another great advantage of motorcycles in the field of law enforcement is their ability to access areas where a standard patrol car cannot go due to poor condition of roads and their size. Motorcycles are ideal for hot pursuit operations.
2. Installing additional CCTV cameras in Metro Jagna and strategic areas in the barangays. There are only a few CCTV cameras operating in Metro Jagna, and installing more cameras in the barangays can help improve surveillance, deter crime, and solve cases.
3. Acquiring additional handheld radios for PNP, Jagna Traffic Management Unit (JTMU), and Jagna Emergency Response Unit (JEMRU). Communication and proper coordination are important elements for immediate and timely response in case of emergency. Hence, there is a need to equip these units with reliable communication devices.
Mayor Rañola expressed his commitment to implement these interventions as soon as possible with funds from local sources or external assistance.
He also appealed to all stakeholders, especially barangay officials and residents, to cooperate with authorities and be vigilant against criminal elements.
Jagna is a 3rd class municipality with a population of 35,832 as of 2020 Census. It has a land area of 120.50 square kilometers or 46.53 square miles which constitutes 2.52% of Bohol’s total area. It is one of the commercial trading centers of Bohol with daily market and port operations.