Negros police seek P24-M budget for 3-year security plan

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) has recommended a three-year anti-criminality campaign with a budget of P24 million to fight against terrorism, disaster, criminalities, and contrabands.

This was the proposal of Police Colonel Romeo Baleros, Nocppo director, to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson during their closed door meeting with some local chief executives at Nocppo headquarters here on Monday.

In a press briefing at Nocppo’s media lounge here yesterday, Baleros said he presented to the governor and the mayors the concept of operation “Negros Occidental Shield” which he conceptualized when he assumed as head of the provincial police office in January this year.

The security plan is already being implemented though the budget from the provincial government has not been approved yet, Baleros said.

It is Nocppo’s initiative to prevent the entry of members of terrorist groups, and contrabands like illegal drugs, cache of firearms, explosives and its components, he added.

The “Negros Occidental Shield” covers 5Ps such as prediction, prevention, preparation, performance, and post activities. It highlights the unit capability enhancement of personnel to move, investigate, communicate, and shoot.

Baleros said the prediction phase focuses on intelligence efforts, while prevention is on police integrated patrol system, border control operations, and other law enforcement activities.

Baleros said the proposed budget is intended for the training of personnel to equip them with necessary knowledge, abilities, and tactics especially on how to pin down criminals through legal means, following the increasing number in the dismissal of drug-related cases.

“What we are trying to enhance here is their skills on investigation and intelligence efforts. I want 100 percent of the police in Negros to be trained effectively,” he added.

Aside from the training, part of the budget will also be utilized for the purchase of sophisticated firearms and handheld radios for combat operations and better communication while personnel are on the ground, he said.

“We will also increase mobile patrol operations to prevent occurrence of incidents in crime prone areas,” he added.

He also said he would want all cities and municipalities to have one team for Special Weapons and Tactics (Swat) for immediate response in case of combat operations in their respective areas.

Over the weekend, Nocppo held a simulation exercise to ensure the readiness of the troops and it will be conducted in every police station every week, Baleros said.

He, however, noted that there is no need for additional forces since the existing personnel will undergo the training.

Baleros said Lacson appreciated the security plan and he told him that he will talk to the council for the approval of the proposed budget.

The local chief executives can also help by subsidizing the need of police force in their respective area, he added.

He is positive that the government will support their program since they all have the same frequency to ensure the safety of Negrosanons.