PRO-Davao to deploy tourist police in Samal soon

THE Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao is eyeing the creation of a tourist police to secure beach-goers amid the influx of tourists in the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos).

In a press forum Wednesday, November 27, PRO-Davao Director Police Brigadier General Filmore Escobal said the local government of Igacos has requested their office for additional police force who will man the island.

Escobal said he went to the national headquarters earlier to discuss the activation of tourist police in Samal Island, adding that he already activated the unit but on interim status.

He said they are just now in the process of filling up the required number of personnel to complete the new unit, which will be under the provincial police.

"I was already provided with the guidance that I can already activate it although interim na muna kasi it will require a longer process, ang required na approval ng Napolcom but I can already implement that," he said.

He targets to permanently activate the tourist police before the year ends. It will be composed of one platoon or equivalent to 30 personnel depending on the circular that will be approved by the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

"It is a unit that will specialize -- ang training nito is from DOT (Department of Tourism). The strength will depend on the number of trained tourist police personnel but we will start with the platoon and then after training dagdagan natin," he added.

The personnel will be deployed to specific locations around Igacos.

Escobal said the manpower will come from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion.