NEGROS Occidental director Senior Superintendent Manuel Felix called on stakeholders "to give peace a chance in the province" in last Tuesday's meeting of the Joint Enforcement and Monitoring Committee (JEMC), Local Technical Working Group on Cessation of Hostilities-Negros Island and the local monitoring teams of Negros Occidental and Oriental.

He said as part of the action plan Team Negros of the Philippine National Police in the province, it is the primary concern of Noppo to provide Negrenses with a safe and secure place to live, work and invest by giving focus on the decades-old insurgency problem in the country.

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The meeting, which was held at the Nature's Village Resort in Talisay City, was also attended by Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) head Rafael Coscolluela, Undersecretary Milo Ibrado Jr., Dr. Raul Bañas, Stephen Paduano and Veronica Tabara of the RPMP/RPA-ABB and their district commanders, Atty. Jose Maria Valencia, Atty. Arturo Umbac as well as the AFP brigade commanders in Negros and Panay islands.

Felix joined other PNP officers during the meeting like former San Carlos City PNP chief and now Iloilo PPO director Senior Superintendent Ricardo Dela Paz and Police Regional Office-6 deputy regional director for operations Senior Superintendent Arnulfo Perez.

Bishop Hilario Gomez Jr., JEMC chairman, presided over said meeting, which was highlighted by an open forum and group interaction after the review of tasks and functions as well as implementing guidelines by the participants.

Noppo Intelligence Branch chief Superintendent Rosauro Francisco Jr. and Investigation Branch head Inspector Robert Dejucos accompanied Felix to said meeting.

Meanwhile, a suspect involved in an arson case was apprehended in Bacolod City Wednesday afternoon by joint elements of the Victorias City PNP and Regional Intelligence Office-6.

Led by Superintendent Jomil John Trio, 43-year old Jerry Douglas of Hacienda Salome 2 in Barangay 10 in Victorias City was nabbed at San Antonio Street in Bacolod City by virtue of an arrest warrant for violation of Presidential Decree 1613 (arson).

RTC Branch 69 Silay City Judge Felipe Banzon recommended a P40,000 bail for Douglas' temporary liberty, who is now detained at Victorias City PNP.

Felix commended Trio and his men as well as personnel of RIO-6, led by Senior Police Officer 4 Julio Turcolas, for the successful arrest of said suspect.