BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – A total of 299 police officers were deployed in 17 barangays across Western Visayas for the implementation of the Revitalized Pulis sa Barangay (RPSB) program.
The 17 barangays are located in the following areas:
* Libacao, Aklan – one barangay
* Sibalom, Antique – one barangay
* Tapaz, Capiz – three barangays
* Igbaras, Lambunao, Maasin, and Tubungan in Iloilo – one barangay each
* Cadiz City and Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental – one barangay each
* Bacolod City – four barangays
Police Major General Bernard M. Banac, director for Police Community Relations of the Philippine National Police, was the guest of honor and speaker during yesterday’s sendoff ceremony at the regional headquarters of Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) in this city.
“We strengthen the implementation of RPSB. It is for the Philippine National Police to lead a community relations partnership. Our police officers will act as guides and facilitators, working alongside all government agencies and local government units to ensure our fellow citizens, especially in Western Visayas, feel the care and dedication of our government and people towards their welfare,” Banac said.
He said that the program aims to bolster the Community Support Program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Retooled Community Support Program of local government units.
“This significant initiative is designed to prevent the resurgence of insurgency, shield unaffected communities from the recovery efforts of the communist terrorist group, and help communities address their concerns and access essential government services,” Banac added.
For his part, PRO-6 director Brigadier General Jack Wanky said the deployed cops were from the regional, provincial and city mobile forces.
They were chosen based on their abilities to build robust community relations and foster mutual trust and cooperation. They had undergone a 12-day stringent training before their deployment.
“You are reminded to offer your best services to the people in communities where you are deployed. Kayo ang mukha ng ating gobyerno, na handing tutulong sa ating mga kababayan, kahit anumang oras at pangangailangan,” Wanky told the RPSB personnel./PN
