PRO-7 starts preparations for NIR transition

CEBU , Philippines — The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 has started the preparations for the needed transition of some police offices to the newly-formed Negros Island Region (NIR).

Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, PRO-7 spokesperson, said the creation of the new region would affect the deployment of police personnel in Central Visayas since Negros Oriental and Siquijor will be integrated into the NIR.

“Although mo gamay ang among area of responsibility, makuhaan man pud mi og tao. Katong mga tao from Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office will be carried out also didto sa Regional Office,” said Pelare.

The inventory of PRO-7 revealed that there are about 1,800 police personnel assigned in Negros Oriental while Siquijor has 420. (CEBU NEWS)

Pelare said the presence of communist-terrorist group in Negros Oriental has been significantly reduced, assuring that the area as well as Siquijor will be “very safe” when PRO-7 will hand it over to the new regional police office under NIR.

 Pelare said the newly-formed NIR opens a career opportunity for police officers who will likely become candidates for the positions in the new regional police office.

 “Makahatag ni og laing opportunity sa mga incoming generals, incoming colonels, to have their own position also. That is very important man sa career sa Police Commission Officer and sa Police Non-commission officer,” Pelare added.

Last June 18, Police Colonel Emelie D. Santos has been appointed to lead Siquijor Police Provincial Office (SPPO).

In addendum, a separate budget will be allocated to the new regional office, ensuring that it is adequately equipped to handle its responsibilities without diluting PRO-7’s resources.

“We cannot just divide the money or the budget for PRO-7 and ato pung nakita nga PNP would of course prepare the new police regional office logistically, financially, operationally,” said Pelare.

The exact schedule for the restructuring and reassignment of police personnel is still unclear, as PRO-7 is still awaiting directives from the Camp Crame.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. signed on June 13, 2024 the Republic Act 12000 or the Negros Island Region Act. The law unified the provinces of Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor into one region.