THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) deployed a total of 28 personnel for the Revitalized Police sa Barangay (RPSB) Thursday morning, February 20, to support village officials in ending insurgency in the city's far-flung areas and make government service more accessible especially to the Lumad community.
The RPSB cadres are guided by their mandate to maintain peace and order in the barangays and carry out efforts to prevent crimes and support the implementation of Executive Order Number 70 or Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict in the community.
DCPO Director Police Colonel Kirby John Kraft reminded the cops during the sendoff ceremony to adhere to their mandate and make the people in the barangay feel that the government is moving in providing the needed services.
"I am excited. I look forward to the fruitful partnership of the PNP (Philippine National Police) and the LGU (local government unit), particularly the barangays towards the end goal of this program which is to create a safe and sound community in your barangays and to end the local communist conflict in your area," Kraft said.
The RPSB team will serve as frontliners as they will engage the people in the barangays, protect them from the recovery efforts of the communist armed group, and ensure that the basic legal government will continue to exist.
The team will bridge the gap of the government and the far-flung community on safety and security concerns.
For instance, if the community needs health services, the team will have to coordinate with the Davao City Health Office (CHO) for immediate response.
"Kayo ang magiging tulay sa mga tao papunta sa ating local government. Let me remind you when you are there, be respectful, kind, and compassionate to the people you meet in the barangay. As a public servant, always remember to put the public as top priority. We should remain humble and ready to serve and protect," Kraft said.
The RPSB personnel will be deployed in Barangay Catigan, Tibuloy, Sibulan in Toril; New Valencia in Tugbok; Tamugan in Calinan; Malamba and Salaysay in Marilog.
They were all received Thursday, February 20, by respective barangay chairpersons.