BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr., the new chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC), will focus on two problems besetting Western Visayas – illegal drugs and insurgency.
These two strain the region’s peace and order situation, he explained.
“It is important that our brothers and sisters in the mountains go down and join the mainstream of society para maka-kita kita sang matuod nga kalinong,” said Defensor.
He acknowledged that people taking up arms have grievances against the government.
As to the campaign against illegal drugs, Defensor stressed it should be relentless.
“Law enforcement agencies and the community should unite to win the war against illegal drugs,” the governor said.
Defensor, who received his appointment Friday last week, will convene RPOC members before this month ends. He replaced Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog of this city.
No less than Secretary Mar Roxas of the Department of Interior and Local Government confirmed Defensor’s appointment.
The RPOC is tasked to formulate plans and recommend measures which will improve or enhance peace and order and public safety in the region.
It is also mandated to monitor the implementation of peace and order programs and projects at the regional, provincial, city or municipal levels.
The regional peace and order council is composed of various regional counterparts of national government agencies such as the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and National Bureau of Investigation, among others.
There are also representatives from the private sector./PN
