ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office 6’s (PRO-6) Regional Intelligence Division is closely monitoring at least three emerging private armed groups (PAGs) in Western Visayas.
Police Brigadier General Leo Francisco, PRO-6 director, confirmed the said PAGs are regrouping, however, he refused to name them.
“These emerging PAGs may pose a threat sa atin at under monitoring ang kanilang mga kilos. Sa nakaraang taon hindi sila kumilos kasi may pandemic pero ngayon they are emerging,” Francisco said.
The PRO-6 director recently ordered all police directors and chiefs in the region to intensify their campaign against loose firearms and wanted persons.
“Kailangan natin paigtingin ang police visibility and checkpoints as part of crime prevention,” he said.
Earlier, Francisco also warned civilians against wearing Philippine National Police (PNP) uniforms for they will be held liable under Executive Order (EO) No. 297 that reinforced Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code (RA 3815).
RA 3815 penalizes “any person who shall publicly and improperly make use of insignia, uniforms or dress pertaining to an office not held by such person or to a class or persons of which he or she is not a member.”
Francisco also warned unauthorized stores to stop selling PNP uniforms.
Any establishment, plant or office where the uniforms and other PNP items are illegally manufactured, stored, sold or distributed will face closure.
Francisco’s warning was in response to the order of PNP chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. that police uniforms will now be restricted following the killing of Aparri, Cagayan vice mayor Rommel Alameda and his five escorts on Feb. 19. Six gunmen were wearing PNP uniforms.
Azurin said apart from registered police uniform outlets, it would be better to ask for an identification card from those who will buy to be recorded.
The recent incident involving criminals wearing military uniforms was on Saturday, March 4, in Pamplona, Negros Oriental. Six men carrying rifles barged into the residential compound of former governor Roel Degamo.
Degamo succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds. Eight civilians also died./PN
