The local government of Tagbilaran City raided several entertainment bars and convenience stores last night, December 22, 2023, to crack down on the youth gang violence that has been plaguing the city.
Gang violence in Tagbilaran City, Bohol was used to be widespread here during the reign of DJ Dejaresco, son of Peter Dejaresco of The Bohol Chronicle and radio station DYRD. A student at Holy Spirit School was once shot to death as a result of this gang violence.
The raid was led by the City Admin Office, the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD), the Tagbilaran City Police Station, the Alert Team, and the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).
According to City Councilor Ondoy Borja, who is the chairman of the SP Committee on Peace, Order and Public Safety, the raid covered establishments in CPG and Gallares areas, such as Vapers, Spindrift, and 7 Eleven stores.
Borja said the raid aimed to arrest the gang members who were involved in the riot and street fighting that happened at Lite Port in Tagbilaran City, when they got drunk and violated the curfew hours.
He also said the raid sought to prevent minors from entering the bars and stores, especially during curfew hours, which start at 10 p.m. and end at 5 a.m.
The local government of Tagbilaran City acted on the complaint and common rambol (brawl) of youth gangsters, which has caused fear and disturbance among the residents and business owners in the city.
Borja said the raid resulted in the apprehension of several gang members and the confiscation of illegal drugs and weapons from some establishments that were found to be harboring them.
He added that the local government will continue to monitor and raid the bars and stores to ensure that they are not being used as hideouts or venues for gang activities.
He also urged the public to cooperate and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
“We are doing this to protect the peace and order of our city. We are facing a serious threat from these youth gangs, and we need to be vigilant and proactive. We appeal to the owners and operators of these establishments to cooperate with us and to the customers to refrain from patronizing them. We also ask the parents to monitor their children and prevent them from joining these gangs. Let us all work together to stop the violence and restore the safety of our city,” Borja said.