Pamuspusan and his ‘Stronger PRO-6’ mantra

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

How can one push a vigorous organization to greater heights?

“Make it more capable, sturdier,” according to Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan.

This foresight led Pamuspusan to adopt the “Stronger PRO-6” mantra.

The program will serve as the Police Regional Office 6’s blueprint of the operational and administrative functions of its personnel towards a more dignified police service and for a more peaceful and orderly Western Visayas.

This strategic direction focuses on the three major thrusts: Sustained Reformation; Internal Cleansing through Developing Leaders at all Levels; and Pro-Active and Smart Policing.

It was through this direction that Pamuspusan steered his leadership from June 2019 until he stepped down from the PRO-6 helm on Dec. 1, 2020.

During the period, PRO-6 said it has delivered laudable accomplishments under the leadership of Pamuspusan.

Here is the list of the operational accomplishments:

* On the Campaign against illegal drugs, 3,131 drug personalities were arrested which led to the confiscation of more than 18.76 kilograms of shabu and 8.7 kilograms of marijuana with standard drug value of over 165 million pesos. As of this writing, 78.38 percent or 3,1175 out of 4,051 barangays in Western Visayas were cleared of illegal drugs.

* On the campaign against illegal gambling, 1,473 operations were conducted with more than 5,700 persons arrested and over P1.1 million cash confiscated.

* On the Tokhang Kontra Armas Luthang (TKAL), 1,747 firearms were surrendered or deposited while 485 were confiscated, captured or recovered during focused police operations.

* On arrear of topmost wanted persons, 533 municipal or station level, 52 provincial or city level and a regional level wanted man were arrested. Meanwhile, 4,155 other wanted persons were also arrested.

* On campaign against illegal logging, 284 operations were conducted which led to the arrest of 314 persons and the confiscation of 187 thousand boats fee of lumber. The confiscated items have an estimated value of P3.5 million.

* On the campaign against illegal fishing, 777 operations were conducted with 2,809 persons arrested. Some 66,000 kilos of fish, 237 motor bancas and 1,270 moto boats were also seized.

* On the campaign against carnapping/motornapping, 35 operations were conducted with 30 persons arrested and recoveries of 2 motor vehicles and 10 motorcycles.

PRO-6 also made headway in its internal security operations, particularly in its efforts to end local communist armed conflict.

During Pamuspusan’s stint, more than 2,500 “communist terrorist group” (CTG) members surrendered along with 309 firearms, 18 hand grenades and 5 rifle grenades.

In the service of warrants of arrest, 117 CTGs were arrested while 8 died in police operations.

PRO-6 has recorded 32 encounters where 62 small arms were confiscated along with the 12 explosives, 12 hand grenades and 14 rifle grenades.

PRO-6 also reported several initiatives which were conceptualized and implemented during the stint of Pamuspusan.

Foremost of these initiatives is Birada Semana—a week-long implementation of focused police operation which hyped the operational accomplishment of the region.

There was also the creation of the Regional Joint Focused Legal Action Team, a joint effort of the Legal coordination and PLEDS Cluster of the RTF-ELCAC which acts as the legal arm or support in the military and police operations.

More than just the operational accomplishments, Pamuspusan also implemented Oplan Banlaw, which aims to improve the facilities of all units of Police Regional Office 6.

Anent to this program are the construction and renovation of the following buildings and facilities inside Camp Delgado: Officers’ Ladies Club and Day Care Center, WCPD Building, Commission on Audit Building, the PRO6 Led Wall, Madia-as Hall, Pan-ay Hall, Maringal Lounge and the PRO6 Motor pool. “With Oplan Banlaw, I wish to let the people of Wester Visayas see a more “dignified” police force” Pamuspusan said.

The implementation of the strategic direction harvested a “more peaceful” Western Visayas as reflected in the crime incidents which decreased by 13 percent from 29,598 (June 27, 2018 to June 26, 2019) to only 25,726 cases (June 27, 2019 to June 26, 2020).

During his “Talk to the Men” on December 1, Pamuspusan thanked the PRO-6 personnel for their individual contribution in achieving PRO6’s objectives under the strategic direction Stronger PRO-6.

“By just being good at your work, no matter what your rank is, you have contributed in all the achievements of Police Regional Office 6,” Pamuspusan said.

He also asked them to support the incoming PRO-6 director, Police Brigadier General Rolando Fernandez Miranda, who officially assumed on Dec 2.

“Please support him the way you supported me as your regional director so that you will achieve greater heights for PRO-6,” he said.

Pamuspusan assumed the Western Visayas top post on June 27, 2019 following the retirement of his “mistah” (classmate), Police Brigadier General John Bulalacao.

He is a member of Philippine Military Class of 1988.

Following his relief, he was reassigned to the Directorate for Plans in the national headquarters effective December 1.