Cops facing blank wall
in subdivision burglary

Other angles are being sought by the police in the burglary that reportedly involved more than P600,000 worth of cash and jewels in Bacolod City last week, because of difficulty in getting the fingerprints of persons who may have known of the incident.

Police Station 3 investigator PO1 Donnie Garcia said these include trisikad drivers plying near the house of Theresa Espinosa at Sta. Clara Subdivision Phase 2, Brgy. Banago, where the burglary was reported on January 5.

Garcia said they cannot compel the drivers to give their prints as this will be a violation of their human rights.

Police Station 3 Intelligence and Investigation chief, SPO2 Nilo Sumagaysay, had earlier said they planned to get the fingerprints of about 70 trisikad drivers plying the area near Espinosa's house.

A witness had said that a driver was seen near the complainant's compound at the time of the burglary, Sumagaysay said.

Garcia, however, said that up to yesterday, they still did not have any suspect.

Espinosa and her helper, Madeline, told the police that the unidentified suspects took her bag with cash, assorted jewels, and cellphones, with an estimated value of P620,000 Saturday morning by fishing it from her room.*PP

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PNP drive vs. CSWs up

A renewed drive is being launched against freelance commercial sex workers in Bacolod City to ensure they are safe from sexually-transmitted diseases, the police said.

Police Station 1 commander, Chief Inspector Noel Manaay, said they started rounding up CSWs in the streets and bars at the downtown area last night in coordination with the Bacolod City Health Office.

On Tuesday, six women loitering at the corner of Cuadra-Locsin streets, in the city, were rounded up by the group.

The women tested negative for STD's but were found to have infections, Manaay said.

Dr. Babylin Drilon, head of the CHO Social Hygiene Clinic, said the coordinated operations are also aimed at encouraging freelancers to visit them for regular examinations.

Freelancers are CSW's who are not working for bars or night clubs.

If apprehended CSW's test positive for STD's, Drilon said they will be given prescriptions and if, available, medications.

If they cannot be treated by medicines available at the CHO, the women will be referred to gynecologists, the doctor said.

Drilon added freelance CSW's usually don't have pink cards or permits that would ensure they are free from infections.

Pink cards are issued to only those who work in bars and night clubs and they are required to renew them by undergoing regular medical examinations, Drilon said.

The tests CSW's with pink cards have to undergo include a syphilis test and a Hepatitis B examination every six months, and a chest X-Ray test annually, Drilon added.

Similar operations have been conducted by the Bacolod police against CSW's last year, especially at the Goldenfields Commercial Complex, tagged as the city's red light district.*PP

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City seeks exemption
from TOP cancellation

The Bacolod City Government is requesting the Land Transportation Office for exemption from the cancellation of authority to issue Temporary Operator's Permit.

Bacolod Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr., chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Traffic, said LTO Assistant Secretary Gen. Reynaldo Berroya issued a directive suspending the issuance of TOP's because it has been abused by unscrupulous traffic enforcers and LTO personnel.

Gamboa said they are requesting for an exemption since the local traffic authorities have no power to confiscate licenses of erring drivers.

In his letter to Berroya dated Jan. 4, 2008, Gamboa said the city is requesting for exemption from the cancellation of authority to issue TOPs delegated to deputized members of the Philippine National Police and City Traffic Enforcers, due to the exigency of the implementation of stringent traffic rules and regulations in the city.

He said traffic rules and regulations will become ineffective unless traffic enforcers and policemen are given authority to discipline traffic violators.

He assured that the extension of authority shall be exercised with forbearance and strict regard of implementing rules and regulations.*CGS

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