ILOILO – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) is dispatching additional police personnel to bolster its forces in the 5th District.
Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor, regional police directo, confirmed that extra troops would be sent particularly to the municipalities of Sara and San Dionisio.
However, he refrained from specifying the exact number of personnel to be mobilized.
Villaflor said this deployment decision has been prompted by intelligence evaluations, particularly in light of past political disturbances.
“The decision to reinforce the 5th District isn’t in response to requests from political candidates (in the upcoming Oct. 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections). It’s a strategic move for crime prevention, considering the incidents that have previously transpired,” he said.
Villaflor further noted that the PRO-6 fully backs these personnel financially. As such, they should refrain from accepting any support from political candidates.
He reiterated the importance of the police remaining impartial and neutral.
The PRO-6 recalled an incident from May 11, 2019, when a village chief in Sara was allegedly shot by supporters of a mayoral candidate.
Punong Barangay Ronnie Dorde of Preciosa, Sara was injured. He had reportedly attempted to intervene in alleged vote-buying activities within his barangay.
The barangays identified for heightened police surveillance include Preciosa and Ardemil in Sara and Mandu-awak in San Dionisio. The latter is under close watch due to a previous incident – a local candidate was charged with violating Commission on Elections laws.
The formal send-off ceremony for the PRO-6 police personnel is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 23./PN
