Police force in Asingan insufficient, says mayor
LOPEZ SPEAKS AFTER CHILD KIDNAPPING CASE
ASINGAN Mayor Carlos Lopez Jr. admitted that the number of police officers in the municipality is significantly lacking, raising concerns about public safety, especially in the aftermath of the abduction and eventual murder of a seven-year-old child from the town’s Barangay Bantog, whose body was found along the beach in Dagupan City.
Speaking in a radio interview, Lopez said despite being classified as a first-class municipality with a population of 57,811, the town only has around 40 police officers.
That puts the police-to-population ratio at about 1:1,445, lower than the ideal 1:500.
He said the local government has already made requests for additional personnel, but no reinforcements have been provided so far.
“Kulang talaga,” he said, emphasizing the urgent need for more police presence.
In response to the shortage, the mayor said the local government has taken steps to bolster security by purchasing patrol vehicles for each barangay to help extend the reach of the existing police force.
The issue of police scarcity has come into sharper focus since an earlier recorded incident a few months ago involving a person with disability who was reportedly abducted in Asingan.
However, Lopez clarified that there is still no clear update on the case, and authorities have yet to determine whether it was a kidnapping case or if the individual left voluntarily with a relative.
The mayor urged residents to remain vigilant while efforts to strengthen local security continue. (Ahikam Pasion)
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