99 cops augment COVID-19 security deployment

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Ninety-nine police officers were deployed to augment the police stations in 31 cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental as the province has been placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

The augmentation is part of the 700 police force of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo). They are from the 2nd Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company (Nocpmfc) and Nocppo headquarters here.

Police Colonel Romeo Baleros, Nocppo director, said that additional officers will reinforce the depleted police stations since the ECQ imposes a 24/7 curfew for two weeks. The implementation of the curfew will be “labor intensive” given that the PNP still continues its anti-criminality functions.

Baleros said that the additional personnel will ensure the effective implementation of ECQ from March 30, 2020 to April 14, 2020.

He directed the station personnel to strictly implement the guidelines on ECQ and to arrest persons who violate it.

“The strict implementation of the ECQ protocols will send a strong message to the public that the Inter-Agency Task Force of COVID-19 (IATF COVID-19) of the province is dead serious on this matter,” he added.

Baleros assured the public that the unit is doing its best to effectively enforce the ECQ while looking after peace and order in the province.

“I appeal to the Negrosanons to help the authorities and the government prevent the spread of COVID-19 by staying at home,” he said.