Two teams to augment personnel of Bani police station

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- Two teams from the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) will be sent to augment the staff of the Bani Police Station, whose personnel will be transferred to other units.

Assigning the teams to Bani is only temporary, Region 1 Police Director Franklin Bucayu Jr. said.

Additional personnel was requested by Bani Mayor Marcelo Navarro as the town's police station need additional personnel to conduct checkpoints and other police works.

“Our mission as members of the Philippine National Police is to main peace and order,” he remarked.

After turning-over the augmentation team yesterday (Friday) to the Bani Police Chief Norman Florentino, Bucayu prodeeded to Bolinao and met Pangasinan First District Rep. Jesus Celeste.

“I told Congressman Celeste he can give me a call for any assistance for his district,” he said.

Meanwhile, Florentino explained in a text message that the 15 Special Action Force (SAF) men detailed in Bani has requested for their transfer.

“Nag-request na sila noon kaya lang wala maipapalit. We made another request (to higher headquarters) after they (SAF personnel) reiterated their request. Most of them want to be re-assigned at their respective hometowns,” he said.

Florentino said the first batch of SAF men arrived in Bani in 2008, the second batch arrived in 2009.

“Priority na ma-transfer yong more than two years na kapag may available na personnel na kapalit nila,” he further explained why the arrival of new augmentation policemen.

Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino Jr. then questioned the detail in Bani town of SAF personnel because the request did not pass through the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office as required by protocol. (Liway C. Manantan-Yparraguirre/Sunnex)