BUTUAN CITY – The Police Regional Office in Caraga Region (PRO-13) said it will continue to conduct law enforcement operations amidst the declaration of the suspension of offensive police operation (SOPO) following the declaration of a nationwide ceasefire between the government and the communist rebels.
In a statement on Monday, PRO-13 Director, Brig. Gen. Joselito Esquivel said police officers and personnel will be on post to assure the safety and security of Caraganons during the Yuletide season.
The ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), started on December 23, 2019 until 11:59 p.m. of January 7, 2020.
Under President Rodrigo Duterte's ceasefire declaration, Esquivel said all units of the PNP in the area "shall refrain from initiating combat police operations but will remain on full alert status".
The SOPO will not cover normal law enforcement operations including the service of Warrants of Arrest (WOA), he added.
He also ordered the PNP in the region to be “vigilant in the performance to their duties to prevent an unfortunate incident in the whole duration of the Yuletide season”.
Earlier this month, PRO-13 announced the deployment of 90 percent of its forces in the region to conduct security measures during Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The security measures include the conduct of strengthened checkpoints, mobile patrols, foot patrols, police presence, focused law enforcement operations, border control operations, and manning of Police Assistance Desks that will be established in different areas in the region. (PNA)
