PRO-NIR trains 50 officers to strengthen tourist safety

BACOLOD CITY — The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) is strengthening its personnel’s capabilities to protect tourists, address security concerns in tourist destinations, and promote a safe, peaceful, and welcoming environment for visitors and local communities.

Fifty police officers began a four-day Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP) training program on Monday, Oct. 26, to strengthen tourism safety, security, and community protection.

The training, attended by Jennylind Cordero, chief of the Tourism Operations Office of the Department of Tourism-Negros Island Region (DOT-NIR), highlighted the importance of collaboration between the police and tourism sector in promoting safe and secure destinations across Negros Occidental.

The program aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to address the safety and security needs of tourists and tourism communities.

Through the training, participants are expected to develop stronger cultural awareness, effective communication skills, and a service-oriented approach when dealing with tourists from different backgrounds.

The program also emphasized that tourism safety goes beyond crime prevention, as police officers play an important role in making visitors feel secure, respected, and welcome throughout their stay.

TOPCOP is a joint initiative of the Philippine National Police and the Department of Tourism designed to improve police services in tourist destinations and strengthen officers’ ability to assist domestic and foreign visitors.

The program also promotes a service-oriented approach to policing, recognizing that public safety and positive visitor experiences are essential to sustaining tourism.

In his message, Brig. Gen. Villaflor Bannawagan, deputy regional director for administration of PRO-NIR, urged personnel to strengthen crime prevention, provide timely assistance, and develop cultural awareness and effective communication skills.

“Our mission is not only to protect tourists, but also to make them feel safe, respected, and welcome wherever they go,” he said.

The training comes as police authorities in Negros Oriental continue efforts to strengthen security for foreign nationals following two fatal attacks involving American citizens earlier this year.

In September, the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NORPPO) began gathering information on foreign nationals residing in the province to improve security planning, police deployment, and coordination with government agencies.

The initiative also seeks to strengthen coordination with barangays, which can assist authorities in maintaining peace and order within their communities.

Police Capt. Stephen Jaynard Polinar, NORPPO spokesperson and chief of the Provincial Tourist Police Unit, earlier said the initiative would involve coordination with local government units, the Bureau of Immigration, and the Philippine Retirement Authority.

The information gathered is intended to help police identify areas with concentrations of foreign residents and determine how personnel and security resources should be deployed.

Some foreign nationals have also reached out to authorities to provide information, although police said the details remained subject to validation.

The security initiative followed two separate killings in Negros Oriental.

On July 12, American marine biologist Kent Carpenter, 73, was shot dead inside his residence in Barangay Ajong, Sibulan, during an attack that police investigated as a robbery with homicide.

On Sept. 2, American national Mark Duell, 72, and his Filipina wife, Elisea, 71, were found shot dead inside their home in Barangay Bajumpandan, Dumaguete City.

Police launched separate investigations into the incidents, with authorities pursuing suspects and examining the circumstances surrounding the killings.

The incidents have underscored the importance of police visibility, community coordination, and responsive law enforcement in protecting residents and visitors.

Through programs such as TOPCOP, PRO-NIR aims to strengthen the readiness of police personnel to address security concerns while promoting a welcoming environment for tourists and local communities.