THE Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) and the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade in NIR are focusing on strengthening security measures in all police stations and detachment camps.
The heightened alert came after at least 70 suspected members of New People’s Army raided a police station in Maasin town, Iloilo Sunday morning.
Nine police officers who were rendering duties were handcuffed by the rebels, but they were unharmed. The rebels seized at least 12 firearms, including eight high-powered rifles.
Chief Superintendent Edmund Gonzales, acting director of PRO-NIR, directed all police chiefs and station personnel to be guarded and alert at all times.
He discussed with Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil, acting provincial director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office; Senior Superintendent Henry Biñas, acting provincial director of Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office; and Senior Superintendent Jack Wanky, acting director of Bacolod City Police Office, the target hardening measures in all police stations.
There is a need to strengthen security in all police stations, Gonzales said, adding that there should also be a continuous engagement between the police and the community.
He reminded duty personnel in all police stations to “never let down their guards.”
Gonzales also emphasized the need to conduct timely intelligence gathering especially in the coastal areas facing Panay.
Despite negative reports on terror threat, Gonzales said the Negrense police should be prepared and ready at all times for the safety of the province and the region.
Colonel Eliezer Losañes, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said the army is continuously intensifying security measures in all detachment camps.
“We are engaging in proactive combat operations,” Losañes said, adding that if there is a need to augment the police, the army is ready to reinforce them.
Losañes said they are sharing information with the police if they have monitored terror threats.
“So far our monitoring is effective, but we cannot go into details about it,” he added.
