NegOr readies livelihood aid for rebel returnees

By Jennifer C. Tilos

Governor Roel Degamo has assured the public that the provincial government is ready to assist rebels who would surrender and lay down their firearms.

In his year-end message, Gov. Degamo said the province is serious in providing livelihood or financial assistance to communist rebels who would return to mainstream society.

Last year, four rebel surrrenderers from the municipalities of Mabinay and Zamboanguita were given P65,000 each worth of financial assistance under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

“As I said we cannot win peace by bullet and arm[ed] struggle, and the province has a roadmap for peace and order program that we follow” the governor cited.

For those rebel returnees who have already benefitted [from] our livelihood assistance to call on their families, relatives, and friends to help us convince them to go down from the mountains and take this life-changing opportunity, said Degamo.

The E-CLIP facilitates the mainstreaming of former NPA rebels and Militia ng Bayan to be productive citizens which also compensates and remunerates all turned-in firearms.

Meanwhile, the governor lamented the killing of six people during a series of police operations in the province late in December last year.

With this, the governor has called for an impartial investigation on the killing of the six civilians in what the police describe as a shootout.

Degamo requested the top management of the Philippine National Police that whenever a police operation to be conducted the police team has to coordinate and inform the provincial government, “We have a template to follow in terms of safety implementation,” he added.

“I believe the operations in Guihulngan City was legitimate because there were search warrants,  but with six people killed, as a governor, it is my duty to protect the residents of the province,” Degamo said.

“If they are supporters of the New People’s Army then we will arrest them rather than kill[ed] them because it hurts others and creates friction, what had happened. they burned the heavy equipment in Ayungon town,” he added.

The governor expects that next police operations to be conducted, his office should be informed as he believes that coordination with each other is one approach for efficient and diplomatic moves.

DCPO: NegOr’s best in anti-illegal drug drive – NOPPO

By Jennifer C. Tilos

The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) cited the Dumaguete City Police Station as the best in the province in its campaign against illegal drugs and the significant decrease in the number of crime incidents.

Based on the report, from January to October 2018 some P 3.4 million worth of illegal drugs were seized by the PNP in 61 operations across the city.

This is higher than last year’s P 816, 678.00 in 30 operations for the same period (January-October 2017).

Seventy-six persons were arrested for engaging in the illegal drugs trade in the first 10 months of the current year compared to 30 for the same period in 2017.

Sixty-seven cases have been filed from January-October 2018 higher than 30 cases in 2017.

There were 1,992 crime incidents reported from January-September 2017 compared to just 1, 222 in the same period in 2018.

This translates to 770 less crime representing a decrease of 38.65 percent.

Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo and the City Council commended the accomplishments of the City PNP under its Chief-of-Police Supt. Jonathan D. Pineda even as they reiterated their continued support to the anti-crime operations of the local police.

Pineda recently received the Best City Police Station award and Best Unit in illegal Drugs accomplishment during the 117th Police Service Anniversary at NOPPO in Agan-an Sibulan with the theme: “Pagbabago sa hanay ng Pulis Hatid ay Ligtas ng Pamayanan Laban sa Korapsyon, Krime at illegal na Droga.”

Supt. Pineda attributed his success to the enthusiastic support of his subordinates in the police station and the city administration.

Dumaguete City receives award for anti-crime initiatives

By Jennifer C. Tilos

Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo gets an award from the PNP for its anti-crime initiatives. Present during the awarding were Councilor Joe Kenneth Arbas, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Sec. Michael Lloyd L. Dino, RD Sinas and Mayor Remollo (middle), Commissioner Rogelio T. Casurao of the National Police Commission, Councilor Alan Gel Cordova and DILG Cluster Head Farah Diba Gentuya.

The Philippine National Police Regional Office7 (PRO7) awarded Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo for his unconditional and sustained support to the anti-crime programs and initiatives to preserve the peace in the city as well as Central Visayas region.

The awarding is part of the week-long celebration of the 24th National Crime Prevention Week with the theme “Mamamayan, Sama-Samang Makialam upang Krimen at Korapsyon ay Hadlangan.”

PRO7 Regional Director Police Chief Supt. Debold Sinas led the presentation of awards to local government units (LGUs), individuals and police personnel for their exemplary dedication to duty and efficient performance in crime prevention in a simple ceremony held at PRO 7 Headquarters Camp Sergio Osmeña, Cebu City.

In Negros Oriental, Dumaguete City is the only LGU granted the award, and Tagbilaran City is also given a plaque of recognition in the region.

Dumaguete City formally donated six units of 250cc brand new motorcycles worth P 1.4 million to boost the mobility of the local police.

This is the latest investment of the city government to support the campaign against illegal drugs, shootings and other criminal activities.

The City PNP previously received brand new military type drones, bullet proof vests and body cameras to improve its intelligence gathering capability and maximize the safety of the law enforcers.