PRO-6 highlights RPSB’s anti-insurgency success

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 reported that the Revitalized-Pulis sa Barangay (R-PSB) has made significant progress in the anti-insurgency campaign.

Brigadier General Jack Wanky, Western Visayas police chief, stated that the R-PSB has established strong rapport and good relations with barangay officials and the community after two months of police deployment.

During a recent review of operations in areas with R-PSB deployment, Wanky noted the community’s support for the government is evident.

“The barangays are with us now,” Wanky said.

He explained that the objective is to prevent the New People’s Army (NPA) from reclaiming barangays previously influenced or infiltrated by rebels.

“So far, we have been successful in ensuring these barangays are not recovered by the NPA, and they are unable to recruit,” he added.

Policemen on R-PSB duties are now involved in various barangay activities, particularly in government community development programs aimed at improving peace and order and promoting development in remote villages where basic government services are often lacking.

In Western Visayas, 17 barangays have been identified for R-PSB deployment.

These include three barangays in Tapaz town, Capiz; two in Iloilo City; and four in Bacolod City. Other identified barangays are in Libacao, Aklan; Sibalom, Antique; Maasin, Tubungan, Lambunao, and Igbaras in Iloilo province; and the cities of Cadiz and Kabankalan in Negros Occidental.