DAVAO City will have a total of 20 police stations with the opening of three others Friday.

The city government will be turning over the new stations — in Maa, Ecoland and Eden — to the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) led by its chief, Col. Kirby John Kraft.

Kraft, who guested on Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s online show “Sara for All of You” on Friday, said that when he was named DCPO chief in October 2019, the city only had 12 police stations.

“Napansin po natin na napakalaki po ng Davao City kaya nag-innovate po tayo na palakihin din po ang composition ng DCPO,” he said.

With more police stations built and opened last year, and police response becoming more efficient, Kraft said there was a decrease in crime rates.

“Meron po tayong statistics simula noong dinagdagan natin ‘yung police stations. Patuloy pong bumababa ang ating crimes dito sa Davao City at ito po ay magandang senyales na tayo pa rin po yung safest city sa buong bansa,” Kraft said.

“Mas napapalapit po yung mga kababayan natin sa ating pulis. Dumarami yung populasyon natin, may mga area na gumaganda ‘yung ekonomiya na nagiging commercial area, at doon po nakakatutok ‘yung ating mga pulis sa pagbabantay at pagpapanatili ng peace and order,” he added.

Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) vice presidential aspirant and show’s host Sara Duterte praised the DCPO for its service.

“We truly appreciate the efforts of Philippine National Police sa DCPO na i-improve ang service ninyo sa Davao City,” the mayor said.

“As mayor, paalala lang po doon sa ating mga tropa na maging faithful po sa trabaho nila at huwag lang maging faithful sa mga kaibigan,” she added.

Kraft assured the mayor of the police’s continued service.

“Makakaasa po kayo na ang DCPO ay patuloy pong magsisilbi ng patas sa lahat ng Dabawenyos – walang pinipili, lahat po ay pantay-pantay,” Kraft said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ryan Ponce Pacpaco