Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said the release of the fund is in response to President Arroyo’s call to abolish the death penalty while, at the same time, sustaining the government’s crackdown on criminal activities.
"The RPOCs will now play a key role in crime prevention by being at the frontline of the government’s continuing efforts to enhance the level of cooperation between the police and the private sector," Puno said.
In a meeting with the National Peace and Order Council and representatives from the 17 RPOCs from all over the country last Friday, Puno said moves to abolish the death penalty should be sustained with a partnership with the private sector to "make the certainty of punishment" through the apprehension of criminals as an effective deterrent to crime.
"The RPOCs can likewise serve as a proper venue for the President to push for the abolition of the death penalty," said Puno, concurrent chairman of the National Police Commission (Napolcom).
Puno also noted the recent directive by Malacañang giving the Philippine National Police (PNP) a shared responsibility with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in handling the insurgency problem.
This means the RPOCs would now play a pivotal role in dealing with the threat to internal security, he said.
Puno said the P1 million allotted to each of the country’s 17 regional peace and order councils would help them effectively carry out programs that will address pressing issues and concerns on peace and security. — Jaime Laude