THE newly-installed police chief of Hinigaran Municipal Police Station in Negros Occidental requested for additional personnel, following the relief of eight police officers together with Senior Inspector Lawrence Bathan on August 22.
Chief Inspector Jake Barila said on Thursday, August 24, that he talked to Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil Jr., provincial director of Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (Nocppo), to inform him about the need for more policemen in Hinigaran.
At present, the police station has 11 personnel.
Barila said the station needs at least 30 men, but the number of allocation will still depend on the availability of resources with the approval of Castil.
He also said that all personnel are now reporting to duty and that he is maximizing their presence.
He added that said the Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC) continues to augment the forces in Hinigaran until the additional personnel can be provided to the town.
Despite the lack of personnel, Barila assured the people of Hinigaran that they can maintain the peace and order in the town.
Three days ago, Bathan was relieved after Mayor Jose Nadie Arceo lost his trust and confidence in the town police after the police omitted the name of a drug suspect in the town’s drug list.
Bathan explained that the said person, who is a high value target, was elevated to the list in the regional level.
