Prevention happens earlier

than when crime occurs

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—Crime prevention does not happen when law enforcers arrive, it happens way before the actual crime is committed, or when communities start to notice and report anything unusual, states National Police Commission-7 (NAPOLCOM7) assistant regional director, during the National Crime Prevention Week kick-off activity at the Bohol Cultural Center, here September 1.

Napolcom 7 ARD Atty Lecel Llamedo emphasized before students of Tagbilaran City Schools gathered for the day’s symposia on crime prevention, that while ‘Law enforcement will always remain at the front lines, genuine safety is seen when government and citizens work side by side, when institutions are accountable, when communities participate, and when people take an active role in protecting one another.”

Through the years, law enforcement agencies have been seeking community participation against criminality, especially with a deplorable police-to population ratio.

And to emphasize the point, Bohol which hosts this year’s kick-off event gathered students of city schools for an Awareness drive by sharing crime prevention tips and awareness of the human rights and liberties.

Gathered for a day-long crime prevention symposium are students of Holy Spirit School, Bohol Wisdom School, Holy Name University, Tagbilaran City College University of Bohol and Criminology students who are now police trainees.

As cases of rape, crimes against women and children and trafficking in persons, the Philippine National Police’s Women and Children Protection Center-Visayas Field Unit through Police Senior Master Sergeant Jenelyn Licyayo talked about indications of Trafficking in Persons, Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education in Region 7, tackled the Anti Bullying Policies and responsibilities of schools with Atty Jessie Fuentes.

The sudden rise in mass shootings, most of them in schools have alarmed authorities who theorized that the trigger event could be bullying ins schools or cyber bullying.

When the public ascribes the increase of the number of children –in-conflict with the law to the Juvenile Justice System, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 7 through Maria Kristel Joyce Pastrana tackled How Juvenile Justice Works, to explain the law and its insinuations.

And with the spate of internet-based scams, the Department of Information Communications and Technology, through Jay Mar Masibay elucidated and pressed on Cyber Hygiene, for a safer online and physical presence.

As Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, who spoke through Legal Officer Atty Handel Lagunay, echoed on calls for the community to unite against crimes to sustain the peace and development which present day Boholanos are currently having.

To this, Napolcom also stressed that while law enforcement agencies remain on the frontlines, genuine public safety is achieved when government institutions remain accountable, communities participate actively, and citizens take part in protecting one another. (PIAbohol)

CRIME AWARENESS SYMPOSIA. NAPOLCOM and Bohol provincial Police Office scheduled crime [prevention and awareness symposia for students of Tagbilaran City during the hosted kick-off activities for the Crime Prevention Week, here in Bohol. (PIAbohol)