Bacolod police ordered to ensure violence-free election

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Police General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, chief of Philippine National Police (PNP) has directed the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) to study the peculiarity of various communities and the dynamics of politics here.

“Avoid violence or crimes especially that election is near,” Eleazar told Police Colonel Thomas Joseph Martir, newly installed BCPO acting director.

Eleazar ordered Martir to review past violent incidents and see if there are private armed groups operating here.

He also directed Martir to make sure that candidates will not be able to raise (election) funds through illicit means such as illegal gambling, illegal logging, and even extortion.

Eleazar paid a courtesy visit to Mayor Evelio Leonardia and other city officials at the Bacolod City Government Center after he met with the BCPO personnel last Sunday.

During Eleazar’s visit, Leonardia told him that police visibility is very important, especially that there is still a surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases here.

The mayor said they need to strictly implement basic health protocols here. Thus, police deployment is essential to ensure that the public follows it.

For his part, Eleazar said he gave guidance to Martir to continue the programs of the previous BCPO directors, and maintain good relationship with the different stakeholders.

Leonardia also assured Eleazar of the continued support of the city government to the local police.

In fact, the mayor disclosed that the local government unit will add at least 12 service vehicles to the city police force.

Eleazar also thanked the local government for providing support to the local police.

Eleazar was accompanied by other PNP officials including Police Lieutenant General Bernabe Balba, directorate for Integrated Police Operations- Visayas; Police Major General Bartolome Bustamante, directorate for Police Community Operations; Police Brigadier General Rolando Miranda, regional director of Police Regional Office-6; Police Colonel Gregory Bogñabal, senior executive assistant to PNP chief; and Police Colonel Roderick Augustus Alba, chief of the PNP Public Information Office, who is a Bacolodnon.