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Western Visayas cops remain on full alert vs. rebels

By Cindy Ferrer

September 19, 2018, 4:42 pm

<p><strong>FULL ALERT.</strong> Western Visayas top cop Chief Supt. John Bulalacao says the Police Regional Office 6 remains on a full alert status in preparation for the possible retaliation of the communist terrorists New People's Army. <em>(PNA File photo)</em></p>

FULL ALERT. Western Visayas top cop Chief Supt. John Bulalacao says the Police Regional Office 6 remains on a full alert status in preparation for the possible retaliation of the communist terrorists New People's Army. (PNA File photo)

ILOILO CITY - - The Police Regional Office in Western Visayas remains on full alert against possible attacks by rebels and other criminal elements, the region’s top cop said Tuesday.

In an interview, Chief Supt. John Bulalacao reminded all chiefs of police in the region and field commanders to be proactive against all threats posed by the New People’s Army (NPA) and other lawless elements.

This is also to maximize their effectiveness in doing their mandate to ensure peace and order in every community, Bulalacao added.

He also reiterated his instruction that there should always be 85 percent of personnel deployed in every police station.

“This means that only 15 percent are allowed to avail of emergency and sick leave. The 85 percent shall remain present in stations even during rest period to maximize deployment for law enforcement and other peace and order maintenance duties,” he said.

Bulalacao was dismayed after he caught the chief of police assigned at Barotac Nuevo Police Station in Iloilo, allowing only 50 percent of his personnel to render duty, during his surprise inspection last week.

Chief Insp. Reymund Celoso was consequently relieved from his post for not complying with Bulalacao's orders.

“If there is only 50 percent presence of personnel, it would greatly affect our operational readiness,” he said, adding that it will also compromise police visibility and their duty to implement special laws like against illegal gambling and illegal drugs.

He said the incident serves as a warning to all other personnel of PRO-6 to follow instructions because he does not want to file charges against police personnel.

“While I am enforcing or instilling discipline among my personnel, I am also sensitive to the feelings of the affected families,” he said.

Since the incident that happened in San Jose, Antique, where seven suspected NPA members were killed in a clash with the government troops last month, the police force has been expecting retaliation from the insurgents.

Bulalacao has been randomly inspecting police stations in the region to check on their preparedness against possible attacks. (PNA)

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