TWO months after the violent incident in Negros Oriental that claimed the life of Governor Roel Degamo and eight other civilians, Philippine National Police Chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr. visited the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office for the first time.
Acorda held a command conference with the heads of the city and provincial police office chiefs where they reviewed potential security threats, particularly given the impending elections.
“We were able to brief the Chief PNP regarding the current threat assessment in the province, and of course our efforts to make sure nga walay government officials, elected appointed and other personalities nga ma-victimize og mga ingon ani nga mga krimen,” according to Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, the spokesperson for Police Regional Office Central Visayas (PRO 7) Chief Brigadier General Anthony Aberin.
Pelare said the situation in Negros Oriental is now gradually returning to normal because of the presence of several policemen and soldiers in the streets.
The police are ready to provide security whether or not the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) push through this October because their security plan has been set up throughout the entire province of Negros Oriental.
Pelare clarified that the PRO 7 and the army are now concentrating on the murder of Degamo, including the ongoing search for individuals wanted for various offenses.
The police gave an assurance that they were in charge of the situation in Negros and that they were ensuring the province's safety and peace as the elections drew near. (AYB, TPT)