Good timing for Polls: 77 cops beef up Negros Occ. PNP

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Seventy-seven new policemen have been detailed at the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) to beef up security in the province.

Chief Insp. Frankie Jingle Lugo, newly-designated NOPPO spokesman, said the 77 policemen were from the 6th Regional Public safety Battalion.

NOPPO is reportedly undermanned as it did not live up to the ideal ratio of one policeman for every 500 people. Based on NOPPO records, the present ratio as far as the provincial police office is concerned is at 1:1,642.

Lugo said three policemen will be assigned to Cauayan PNP, Sipalay PNP, and Moises Padilla PNP, while the remaining 74 will be assigned temporarily at the Negros Occidental Public Safety Company (NOPSC), now headed by Chief Insp. Gabriel Gutierrez.

There are seven platoon-sized units of NOPSC stationed in the cities of Sagay and Bago, and in the towns of Hinigaran, Cauayan and Don Salvador Benedicto, as well as in Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City.

NOPSC troopers are actively involved in anti-insurgency operations, civil disturbance management and rescue operations, and serving as augmentation forces to police stations in case of emergency situations.

Lugo said the deployment of 77 policemen is timely for the October barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

 "We expect more men-in-uniform to be visible on the streets, to serve as a strong deterrent in suppressing criminal activities", Lugo added.

NOPPO director, Senior Supt. Milko Lirazan, encouraged the newly-assigned police officers at NOPPO to be vigilant while on duty, and observe the basics. —/JMO (FREEMAN)