Res Gestae
PNP Chief reiterates his priorities
Police Director General Oscar Calderon visited Iloilo last Friday (Jan 5) to preside the turn over of command ceremony at Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 between Chief Superintendent Geary L Barias (outgoing) and Chief Superintendent Wilfredo DV Dulay Sr. as the new Regional Director. The relief of CSupt Barias came as a surprise even to the police assigned at Camp Delgado. But, a promising officer and gentleman like Barias, the re-assignment as Head of Directorate for Intelligence and Detection Management (DIDM) at Camp Crame is much expected so as to prepare him for higher position. He can be the next PNP Chief.
In just a short time, Barias displayed unparalleled accomplishments against the seemingly insurmountable concerns that buffeted the region, such as the Oil Spill in Guimaras and Igbaras Tragedy. Barias was then the concurrent Chairman of Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) of Western Visayas. Likewise, winning for himself the sincere support of his men and their loyalty was but an achievement that was so profound during his short stint.
The occasion, however, was also an opportunity to hear from PNP Chief Calderon his agenda for security during elections and other issues concerning the peace and order situation, particularly in Western Visayas.
And, during the command conference, Calderon reminded the Officers of PRO 6 to take serious attention on the following:
a) Security of politicians, members of the tri-media and militant personalities. Calderon stressed that the Chief of Police shall immediately be put to administrative investigation once an incident of killing involving a political, media or militant personality occurs in his area of responsibility. If the results of investigation show that the station chief was wanting of diligence over the incident, a relief would immediately be effected against him.
b) Operations against loose firearms. The campaign against loose firearms must not be limited to conduct of checkpoint/chokepoint operations, Calderon said. He instead encouraged the police in the region to work out with their intelligence gathering and apply for Search Warrant to confiscate the unlicensed firearms and apprehend those in whose possession and control the said firearms are recovered.
c) Dismantling of political armed groups. Calderon relayed the intelligence reports stating that private armed groups are being organized by some politicians as election period comes closer. While security of political candidates is an utmost concern of the PNP, the creation of private armed security group would not be tolerated. He also directed all field commanders to coordinate regularly with their respective Peace and Order Councils (POCs) to discuss appropriate security preparations for the upcoming elections.
d) Establishment of pro-active measures against street crimes. While street crimes are not by themselves election-related, Calderon still considers the adverse effects of these criminalities in the efforts of the PNP towards the conduct of peaceful and orderly elections. Hence, he encouraged all field commanders to consider the deployment of motorcycle cops, especially in common places of convergence, to deter the occurrence of street crimes. Calderon said the use of motorcycles could be highly advantageous especially in running after the perpetrators of crimes in highly urbanized cities or municipalities.
e) Implementation of drastic measures against erring police personnel. Calderon underlined that the PNP can win the trust and confidence of the public by cleansing its ranks with scalawags, dregs and misfits. For the purpose, he reiterated the instructions to effect immediate restriction and investigation to police personnel allegedly involved in crimes or other illegal activities, and to recommend appropriate actions against the concerned police personnel.
In view of the aforementioned directives, PNP Chief Calderon informed the City and Provincial Directors that a scoreboard will be maintained at Camp Crame to monitor the accomplishments of the all Provincial and City Police Offices and they will be rated according to the output that they generate for the various campaigns.
Well, we can only wish that the directors of our Provincial and City Police Offices can show good results in their endeavors in the campaigns which PNP Chief Calderon reiterated during his visit here very recently. But, as I always underline, our police can only do as much without our cooperation and collaboration. If we want the PNP succeeds in their mission to serve and protect, we -- as community -- must take active support in all their endeavors.
(Our rule is: SAFETY FIRST! Send your comments and suggestions to rogatepnp@yahoo.com).