Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio clarified that the Davao City Anti-Crime Unit’s main task is only to assist the police in patrolling the streets.

She said they don’t have the authority to conduct investigations and serve arrest warrants since they only serve as force multipliers.

Duterte-Carpio issued the statement after critics claimed that the unit has failed to arrest the rising incidence of crimes after it was formed last year.

She said that the current police to population ratio in the city is one policeman for every 1,200 group of people which is way higher to the ideal ratio which is 1:500.

“Since the Philippine National Police cannot add more policemen, the city government has to provide additional manpower,” Duterte-Carpio said.

She underscored that the police still takes the lead in implementing peace and order like catching criminals and enforce thelaw.

Duterte-Carpio maintained that she will not push for  vigilante-killings as deterrent to crime.

However, she said she won’t be surprised if some sectors will push for it because they mistakenly believe it works.

“Vigilante-killing is a crime, so I expect the police to also run after them just like as the police run after ordinary criminals,” she said.

Duterte-Carpio claimed full responsibility over the current state of the peace and order in the city since it is the duty of the local government and the police to ensure that its citizens are fully protected.