NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson called on Philippine National Police (PNP) officials in the province to not just be legal troops but to be moral as well in dealing with problems involving criminality, illegal drugs and insurgency.
Lacson, during the New Year's call of the Negros Occidental police to him, said that while the task of policemen and women involves the legal use of force to implement the law, it is sometimes met with resistance from those subject to it.
There were instances in the past years where authorities in Negros Occidental have to defend themselves in performing their official functions, especially at the height of Oplan Tokhang campaign in 2016, where drug personalities had been killed.
"This is the part where your job gets more complex, especially in the face of public scrutiny," Lacson told key staff officers of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office led by Colonel Romy Palgue, chiefs of police and mobile force company commanders.
“Police work requires a great balancing act between law enforcement and the preservation of liberty,” he said.
Lacson urged Negros Occidental police officers to continue building a God-centered and service-oriented PNP for the nation and good cops who continue to work and sacrifice for the community.
Palgue thanked Lacson, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, the provincial government, local chief executives and other stakeholders for their support in their law and order campaign, which made the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) rank number one in the performance evaluation rating in Western Visayas, among provincial and highly urbanized city police offices in 2020.
Lacson also acknowledged NOCPPO cops for their selfless service as frontliners in the campaign against Covid-19, in which they often rendered service beyond the limits of endurance.
"For our men and women in uniform whom we lost in this war against the Covid-19, may we honor their sacrifice with our continued courage and service up to the day that humanity will be free again," he said.
Lascson also emphasized the need for police visibility in all towns and cities of Negros Occidental, stressing that it will create trust and connection to the people especially in this time that the people need more reassurance.
"The sound coordination and relations between the police force, local government units and the citizenry are imperative more than ever, not just for the promotion of the law, order and public safety but also for the effective delivery of public services," the governor said.