PNP, AFP sealing off boundary

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 27, 2019): PNP, AFP sealing off boundary

The Philippine National Police is not taking any chances in the possible spill over of violence from Negros Oriental to Negros Occidental.

Col. Romeo Baleros, Negros Occidental police director, said yesterday that they are now coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to seal off all possible entry points in the province, through border control operations.

Baleros said he shared his concerns with Col. Raul Tacaca, Negros Oriental police director, during a legislative conference with other commanders in Iloilo on Thursday.

The spate of killings in Negros Oriental and its possible effects were also discussed during the visit of Brig. Gen. Rene Pamuspusan, newly-installed regional police director, at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City, yesterday.

Pamuspusan said the sealing off of entry and exits points in the boundary of Negros Occidental and Oriental is part of their preparations for better border control mechanism.

At the same time, he also ordered all provincial police directors in Western Visayas to be aggressive in their security measures, when it comes to insurgency and terrorism, in coordination with the Philippine Army.

Military and police officials noted that New People’s Army rebels cross the boundary of the two provinces, once they are being pursued by the Philippine Army after some armed skirmishes.

Baleros said he is expecting more police personnel to address the shortage of manpower in Negros Occidental, once they graduate from the Basic Recruit Course at the Regional Training School in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City.

But he said that the presence of three Army battalions under the 303rd Infantry Brigade is a boost to them in maintaining peace and security in Negros Occidental.

P amuspusan, meanwhile, congratulated Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office for a job well done, and for its contribution in making the Police Regional Office 6 one of the five PNP regional offices vying for the Top Performing PRO, in line with the Police Service anniversary to be marked next week in Camp Crame.

During a meeting with all the Negros Occidental police commanders, Pamuspusan emphasized the need to institutionalize the programs of PNP.

“We will assess the level of implementation of the current programs so that we will know where to start and from there, we will work towards institutionalization.” he added.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/July/27/topstory2.htm