Are the streets safer now?

Dave Achondo

THERE are plenty of questions and rumors circulating on social media that we are much more safer now compared to the previous administration.

Before Duterte came to office, safety was really a concern among people especially at night.

Let me clear this up to avoid confusion. I am merely focusing on Cagayan de Oro and not the entire country.

There has been much hype that the crime rate here has slowly dropped when Duterte came into office a couple of months ago and declared an all-out war against criminality particularly on illegal drugs. But are we really safe?

Based on my observations, it really did have an impact on safety especially during night time in this city.

During Aquino’s time, it wasn’t safe to be out close to midnight because of fear that criminals were lurking in the shadows. I am not saying nor discrediting the previous administration’s efforts. I am just saying that it wouldn’t have been wise to be out of your house past midnight at that time.

Take for example Gaston Park. That particularly area has been known as a “lover’s zone.” Now, it’s ruled by Pokemon Go players from 5 pm until the wee hours. I still find people playing the same game there, walking around aimlessly with their smartphones, looking for Pokemon monsters. Their phones are exposed to everyone to see, including thieves. Some of them are even out in the open, alone, wandering around and looking for these monsters which randomly pop in and out throughout the city.

Divisoria, which was a bit notorious for mugging and all sorts of dastardly deeds, also run rampant with them now, an indication for me that it has become a safer place now.

The good news is, I have yet to encounter an individual whose phone was snatched or was mugged playing this game and I’m not looking forward to hearing one either.

Because of the recent orders Duterte has been giving to put a stop to criminality, I came to a conclusion that criminals are now afraid to commit any crime. I guess it’s safe to say it’s because of the fear of becoming one of the victims in Duterte’s very long list of alleged extrajudicial killings.

I for one can say that I feel safe walking around this city without worrying to much but I won’t let my guard down either because there is no point in endangering one’s life.

Comparing the previous administration and today’s, as a civilian, I feel safer walking around town.

In reality, there is no such thing as 100 percent safe. You can always get harmed, including being robbed, mugged or even killed especially when you are too flashy and too confident.

Regardless what reason you have, when you are out at night, it’s best to always be mindful of your surroundings. It’s better to be safe than sorry.