- MITCH M. LIPA
The Bacolod City Police Office will redraw the deployment plan of its Mobile Patrol Unit to augment members of the BCPO-Visibility Patrollers stationed along major streets after a snatching incident happened Friday, Jan. 29 inside a public utility jeepney plying the Bata-Libertad route.
Police Lt. Col. Ariel Pico, head of the BCPO-MPU, said if the incident was a “case of chance” snatching, police stations will probably have their suspects.
The victim, a female passenger who requested anonymity, will be shown the police’s rouge gallery for possible identification of the suspect.
Pico said that snatching, unfortunately, is a bailable offense that a suspect may post bail for his provisional liberty, adding that in some instances, he may again commit a similar offense if an opportunity arises.
Friday’s snatching victim narrated the suspect boarded the PUJ she was riding in in front of Negros Occidental High School.
Upon reaching Lizares Avenue in Barangay 39, the suspect, who wore a face mask, alighted the jeeney and suddenly grabbed the bag of the lady passenger.
The bag contains money, cellphone, ATM cards and other important identification cards.
The police said the suspect hurriedly boarded a tricycle that headed to the direction of the Singcang-Magsungay road. – MML
