5-MINUTE POLICY: New Western Visayas Police Chief Vows Fast Response

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The newly installed chief of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 vowed to make the Philippine National Police’s five-minute response time standard in public safety enforcement.

Brigadier General Josefino Ligan emphasized the initiative during the turnover and assumption ceremony on Saturday, June 21, at the PRO-6 headquarters in Camp Martin Delgado, Iloilo City.

“Humanity has always yearned for perfect systems—governance, justice, safety. For centuries, we have chased this idea of perfection, knowing deep in our hearts that while it may never be fully achieved, we are capable of inching closer to it, day by day, step by step,” Ligan said in his speech.

The new PRO-6 chief described a near-perfect crime prevention system as one that “acts as quickly as danger arises, that protects before harm escalates.”

“In our work as police officers, we have long fought this fight. But too often, we have relied on outdated and fragmented systems that slowed us down. Now, we begin a new chapter—one where our pursuit of public safety is not just a step, but a stride forward,” he added.

Citing that crimes can happen in an instant, Ligan said police response must be immediate.

“Through radio coordination, unified protocols, and unwavering discipline, we will harness our collective strength and summon the full force of PRO-6 within five minutes of an emergency. Where once we were hundreds of distinct officers, now we operate like a single, intelligent body—moving faster than crime itself,” he said.

Ligan said he had already implemented the five-minute response system when he was with the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

He previously served as director of the NCRPO’s Northern Police District, which covers Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela.

He also served as deputy director for administration of the NCRPO’s Eastern Police District, and deputy director for operations of the Quezon City Police District.

“We are planning to replicate that five-minute response system here at the civic center,” he said.

Ligan added that he is determined to fulfill the promise made by PNP Chief General Nicolas Torre III.

“Magkakaroon ng agarang pag-responde sa pangangailangan. We intend to do that in Western Visayas, primarily sa ating Iloilo City Police Office because this is the center of Western Visayas,” he said.

As part of this effort, he said PRO-6 would conduct an inventory of its resources, particularly in mobility and communications.

Ligan said his leadership will redefine police readiness across all areas—from urban centers to remote island barangays.

He said every patrol team will be equipped with clear protocols, agile mobility, and the authority to make critical decisions in the field.

“Kinakailangang maniwala ang taumbayan na ang kanilang pulis ay laging handang rumesponde anumang oras—handa silang tumugon kailanman sila kailanganin,” he said.

Speaking in Hiligaynon, Ligan encouraged residents not to look for police at precincts.

“I-dial lang ang 911. Mag-abot kami sulod sang lima ka minuto. This promise is embedded in every system we upgrade, every initiative we launch, and every patrol we deploy—from the City of Love to the farthest town in Antique,” he said.

He added that everything will be aligned with one goal: to deliver police response in under five minutes, no matter where or when.