SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Feb. 10 (EUROPE PRESS) –
The general secretary of the Unified Association of Civil Guards (AUGC), Juan Fernández, has demanded this Thursday in the Parliament of the Canary Islands the increase in the workforce on the islands by 1,000 more agents, up to 4,450 –500 per province– and the improvement of migrant rescue protocols, since it is often decided “on the fly” together with Salvamento Marítimo.
In an appearance before the study commission on immigration in the Canary Islands, he has pointed out that the Canary Islands is “a safe area” but has not hidden the fact that due to its insular conditions and the floating population it receives, it needs more human and material resources.
In addition, he has highlighted that more specialized bodies are needed to deal with migration in the Canary Islands and reinforce other departments such as that of boats, where more skippers or mechanics are needed, the GRS or citizen security units.
Fernández has warned that many Civil Guard boats are “obsolete” and has given as an example how until 2020 one provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Government of the Canary Islands was used in 1989.
He has commented that these boats represent a “double risk” because they are not prepared to rescue people and he understands that “modern and dignified” police means are “essential” to guarantee security.
He has demanded a great political pact for security and more coordination between bodies and institutions, charging against the “inequality and discrimination” suffered by the Civil Guard, whose agents work 150 hours a year more than the national police and with 300 euros less salary than month.
Likewise, he has requested a specific maritime detachment in Lanzarote, just as it exists in Fuerteventura, because 250 nautical miles must be monitored and he has highlighted how there are 10 fewer agents at the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria dock now than in 1989.
Fernández has also admitted that there have been “security problems” related to unaccompanied migrant minors, especially in Mogán, with attacks on the Civil Guard and the Local Police and that forced the intervention of the riot police.
