Notorious gangs have moved out from the city and started to sow terror in towns, according to a Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) report. "The Bloods and the Crips are now conducting mass recruitment operations to both students and out-of-school youths, including minors in the different municipalities of the Province and somehow succeeded because of the passive attitude of communities toward gangsterism," said a report released by the SP's committee on peace and order and public safety chaired by board member Brigido Z. Imboy. The Bloods are a primarily, though not exclusively, African American street gang founded in Los Angeles, California. The gang is widely known for its rivalry with the Crips. They are identified by the red color worn by their members and by particular gang symbols, including distinctive hand signs, according to Wikipedia, an online reference.

The Crips are one of the largest and most violent associations of street gangs in the United States, with an estimated 30,000 to 35,000 members. The gang is known to be involved in murders, robberies, and drug dealing, among many other criminal pursuits. The gang is known for its gang members' use of the color blue in their clothing, the Wikipedia noted. In the committee report, which was also signed by committee on barangay affairs chair board member Madelone Rengel, officials have recommended that the provincial lawmaking body "should express strong advocacy against gangsterism, its malicious and vicious acts and the ill effects (gangsterism) caused to the community." The report has urged the SP to pass resolutions "urging the Department of Education, the Department of Interior and Local Government and some concerned agencies to implement relevant measures to deter or curtail activities of gangsters."

To fight gangsterism, the report further recommended that the problem be brought up before the next Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting “for any possible action.” “In addition to the unmonitored, uncontrolled and unsupervised activities of youngsters during night time, the conflicts and rivalries among gangs, particularly the Bloods and the Crips, oftentimes resulted to violent riots and rambles between their respective members, including minors, causing damages to properties, harm to persons and disturbances to our communities,” the SP report said. “The rampant violations of the laws on the non-selling of liquor to minors and the prohibition of drinking liquor within the store premises by Convenient Stores that are open 24/7 had become an avenue for gangsters to gather its members, conduct meetings or just have their drinking sprees during late nights,” the report added. (MIKE ORTEGA LIGALIG)