ILOILO — The appointment of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. as chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) in Western Visayas is expected to tighten coordination in the region’s security and resilience efforts — particularly as the province rolls out a more aggressive, integrated peace-and-development framework.
Defensor formally assumed the 2025–2028 chairmanship on November 18, following the turnover of the RPOC flag and certificate of appointment by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 6 director Juan Jovian Ingeniero.
Ingeniero said the appointment “signifies the continued commitment of the region toward peace, security, and inclusive development,” adding that “with Governor Defensor at the helm, RPOC remains steadfast in strengthening local government capabilities, enhancing peace efforts, and fostering collaboration among national government agencies, LGUs, and community stakeholders.”
DILG-6 also reaffirmed its “full support to the new chairperson as we work together for a safer, more resilient, and more progressive Western Visayas.”
Defensor thanked fellow governors and DILG-6 for the trust extended to him, saying the role comes at a critical moment as Iloilo activates its “4K for MoRProGRes” program — Kapayapaan, Kaayusan at Katatagan Tungo sa Kaunlaran ng Bagong Pilipinas. The initiative forms part of MoRProGRes, the Movement for a Robust, Progressive, Globally Competitive, and Resilient Iloilo.
“We want the RPOC also to be the home of that kind of modality and we want to collaborate with the member agencies so that is very important to us,” said Defensor.
As RPOC chair, Defensor will also serve as co-vice chairperson of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict./PN
